Chicago Board of Education 101: Know the basics of the soon-to-be elected board guiding Chicago Public Schools

The Chicago Board of Education is responsible for creating the vision and setting priorities for Chicago Public Schools. It differs from the CPS central office, led by CEO Macau King, which handles day-to-day operations. The board shares responsibilities with other school boards, including clarifying the district's purpose and monitoring progress towards its goals.

Historically, the board has been appointed rather than elected. In 1995, Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed a five-member board to spearhead reform. This structure was later reverted to its original name and increased to seven members. In November, the board will be fully elected for the first time in 30 years.

Some of the board's key functions include managing the district's finances, which involve raising local property taxes and allocating revenue and state/federal funding to schools. They also hire district leaders, review their performance, and approve important paperwork like labor union agreements and charter school contracts. The board is supposed to be responsive to community input, gather feedback through referendums, and consider student recommendations.

Chicago has one of the largest elected school boards in major US cities, with 21 members to illustrate the board's influence. This is more than Illinois' average of seven members per district. The expansion to 21 members came after a 2021 bill, aiming for better representation and moving away from unceasing mayoral control.

The board's membership now reflects the city's electoral districts, created in March 2024. The transition period includes the election of 10 members and the continuation of 11 mayoral appointees for a two-year hybrid period. The decision to elect the board was met with mixed reactions, with supporters praising the move for better representation, while others worried about potential confusion in policymaking.