Board Rule

New from our friends at Chalkbeat Chicago: school budgets are expected soon, perhaps as early as next week. A source inside CPS says cuts next year "are inevitable."

School budget cuts might be inevitable for Chicago Public Schools The district is getting ready to release its campus budgets as early as next week.

Learn from two of Chicago's more than 40 school board candidates about the real deal of gathering ballot signatures and surviving signature challenges.

Candidate Real Talk: Getting Signatures Two Chicago school board candidates spill the tea on gathering ballot signatures.

More Chicago school board candidates are getting in the mix as the filing deadline approaches. Board Rule keeps you up to speed. Also, it's May Day. What will that mean for Chicago Public School students? Learn more in today's Board Rule:

May Day Edition & School Board Campaign Updates While the Chicago Public Schools marks May Day with a plethora of events, the school board races are moving into a higher gear.

Chicago now has two fronts for democratic participation in schools: Local School Councils and the soon-to-be fully elected school board. How should they work together? This week's Board Rule looks to history for some ideas.

Should Chicago’s School Board Resolve LSC Conflicts? Facing LSC conflicts, Chicago's school board considers oversight, accountability, and how to stop constantly firefighting local school issues.

Last year's Chicago Public Schools budget reduced future deficits, but didn't eliminate them. Building a balanced budget this year could be even harder than last year's messy process. Learn more in this week's Board Rule.

Expect Another Bruising Chicago Public Schools Budget Cycle Chicago will need to sweep TIFs again this year to shore up both its own and the school district's budgets. But the bonanza may not be as big this time.

In Chicago, public school students will attend school on May 1. But many students, and their teachers, will also be able to attend the May Day rally at 1 p.m. in Union Park.

The long tail of the tug-of-war over what to do on May Day may shake up the school board elections. Some bit players in the May Day wrangling are likely to show up big in campaign contributions. Learn more in today's Board Rule.

The May Day Melee Sends Signals about School Board Elections The sparring over May Day between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union is over. But some bit players now may become big players in the school board election.

CPS will hold a full day of school on May 1, but 100 schools will receive bag lunches and transportation for students to attend an afternoon May Day rally. More here from WBEZ.

CPS will be in session on May 1, but agreement with CTU encourages students to attend afternoon rally The Chicago Teachers Union had wanted Chicago Public Schools to cancel classes on May 1, but newly installed CEO Macquline King pushed back. An agreement reached on Thursday says the district will provide buses and food so students can attend an afternoon rally.

In early 2026, the Chicago Board of Education hired Macquline King as permanent superintendent/CEO and revoked ASPIRA's charter. These decisions likely crowded out time for direct discussion of student outcomes. Board members also spoke more concisely and asked focused questions. Learn more in this week's Board Rule.

Chicago School Board Report Card: Q1 2026 The Chicago Board of Education still struggles to make time to focus on student outcomes, but board members are asking more and better questions.

Gracias Parents For Education!

Estos son los correo electrónico de los miembros de la junta escolar de Chicago en caso de que necesite comunicarse con su representante.

Puede averiguar qué distrito y quién es su representante en el siguiente enlace.

https://www.cps.edu/about/chicago-board-of-education/member-map/

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These are the email addresses for Chicago’s school board in case you need to reach out to your representative.

You can find out what district and who your representative is at the link below.

https://www.cps.edu/about/chicago-board-of-education/member-map/

While the Chicago Teachers Union and Superintendent/CEO Macquline King face off over whether to hold classes as usual on May 1, Board Rule has its ears to the ground on school budgets and its eyes on possible changes to charter renewals. Read more in today's Board Rule.

Under the Radar: Budget Clawback and Charter Renewals While all eyes are focused on the fight over May Day, important changes in school-level finances for the rest of the year have been happening under the radar.

District 2B's board rep, Debby Pope, spoke with Board Rule about the fight for fair education funding, how Superintendent/CEO Macquline King has grown in the job, and the soon-to-be finalized special education committee. Plus, a preview of today's Agenda Review Committee meeting.

InFocus: Debby Pope Whether it's driving a cab or pushing Springfield for more school funding, Debby Pope does not fear a challenge.