Local School Councils: What They Do, What Challenges They Face


The Chicago Board of Education just approved the district’s nearly $7 billion budget for the coming school year. It’s among many duties for which the board is responsible.

But some critics and education activists say that board should be elected, not appointed by the mayor.

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Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been steadfast in his opposition to an elected board. Here he is on Chicago Tonight, several weeks ago:

“It’s the largest elected school board system in the United States of America.”

While that statement ruffled feathers among some local school council members across the city, not all councils are fully seated, with more than half having at least one opening.

What LSCs do, and why fully staffing them is a citywide challenge.

Follow Brandis Friedman on Twitter @BrandisFriedman


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