CPS Students Call For Elected School Board
By aaroncynic in News on Aug 19, 2014 1:40PM
Nearly 100 Chicago Public Schools students rallied for an elected school board and better funding for the schools Monday afternoon. The students, members of the Chicago Students Union, said they’re planning to organize some 20 CPS schools for what they say is a more democratic voice in the public school system.
“At first glance my school would seem like a good school, a well funded school,” said Gabriel Portillo, a senior at Prosser Career Academy. “But when you look deeply inside, you see that’s not the true story. My school lacks textbooks—not just newer ones, but up to date ones. My sophomore year, I spent a year learning from a textbook that was dated 1993. That’s four years before I was born.”
The students say that CPS unfairly distributes funds between schools and not helping schools that are struggling across the city. Rosalina Torres, a junior at Whitney Young High School said:
“I know what it’s like to go what’s considered a privileged education in the Chicago Public Schools system. I also know what it’s like to not live in a wealthy neighborhood. To see as students struggle at my local schools. My elementary school to be overcrowded for 10+ years and not get any funds have a building while schools like mine are receiving new chairs and renovating their gym.”
The students were joined at a press conference across the street from Daley plaza before their march to the Chicago School Board headquarters by State Rep.-elect Will Guzzardi. Chicago is the only city in Illinois to have an appointed school board, rather than an elected one. Guzzardi said he would take the fight for an elected school board to the State Legislature. “We’ve seen over the course of so many years the same folks, the same closely-knit entrenched circle of interests making decisions to benefit themselves and turning their backs on our communities,” said Guzzardi. “Folks are frustrated with the system and looking to the next generation for leadership.”
Last month, CPS unanimously approved a $5.76 billion budget that featured $72 million in cuts to neighborhood schools. As demonstrators chanted “hey Rahm, you weasel, give us back our easels” outside CPS headquarters, Ross Floyd, a senior from Jones College Prep, called out the city for spending TIF dollars in places they’re not needed. “Our schools are being closed, budgets cuts and teachers fired,” said Floyd. “At the same time the city is using funds for Maggie Daley park and a stadium for DePaul.”