Jennifer Custer

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

I am running for Chicago School Board, because I want my children and all Chicago children to have a superior education. I believe that my experience in education and perspective of actually working with school boards in Illinois makes me uniquely qualified to serve.

Why are you the most qualified candidate?

I am a CPS parent. I have worked with school boards in Illinois. I also have the support of local elected officials so I will have the support to do this job on day one. I will be able to create the community needed to support our schools.

What is the biggest issue facing your specific school board district?

Our district faces the issues of funding, staffing and safety as every district in the city. I think that investing in the physical plant of our schools is important. We need to deal with the mold and asbestos abatement that needs to happen in the aging schools and our aging infrastructure. Additionally, we need to invest in our  teachers and curriculum so our children are prepared for the future.

How has your district been impacted by the shuttering of CPS schools?

It has not directly. However when we close schools it affects all of CPS. Those students end up at other schools and creates stress on the entire system. 

How have your district’s schools been impacted by students who are new arrivals to the U.S. and how should CPS best accommodate those students and families?

New arrivals have created a real need in all schools not just in english a second language but also housing and other social services. We need to invest in our new neighbors and ensure that the children in these communities can be productive people in our society.

How do you believe the school board should handle the looming fiscal crisis at Chicago Public Schools?

CPS is not unique in its fiscal crisis, but is unique in a few ways. First, CPS and by extension the Chicago taxpayers are the only taxpayers in the state that are required to shoulder the burden of pension debts. The state pays for the current and legacy debt for every other school district. No other school district has to carry this debt. I will advocate that Springfield brings parity and make sure the money ends up in the classroom not in debt service to relieve our tax burden just like every other district in the state. Secondly, CPS having a board controlled by the Mayor, and by extension City Council, has had to deal with the budgetary pressures of city finances as well. Finally, I have never seen a school operating budget that moves capital funding out of operational budgets the way CPS does. This creates a fiscal drag that needs to be accounted for in a capital budget not operations.

A moratorium on closing CPS schools is set to expire in January. Should CPS consolidate more schools?

Schools in my district are generally bursting at the seams. Schools that have low enrollment should be given the tools to boost enrollment- magnet programs, STEAM programs, and gifted programs. Allow them to help alleviate student allocation problems across the city and build broader school communities. A success story of that is Taft H.S. in my district. Talking to voters while I am knocking doors they are impressed by the turnaround that took place, and that was in large part due to expanded programing and leadership of Principals and the LSC. Underpopulated schools are a drag on the operational budget, but closure should not be the only policy solution. Give schools the tools to succeed and serve students.

What is your position on closing selective enrollment schools?

Magnet and Selective Enrollment schools should be a model for CPS. These schools are a point of civic pride. For example, Lane Tech has graduated more PhDs than any school in the country. Magnet schools line Jacqueline Vaughn serve as only one of two school options for some of our highest need students. Taking that away does more harm to students than good. We should fully fund neighborhood schools, so that all students have great options for their education, but not at the expense of these schools.

What is your position on charter schools?

I believe that charter schools that exist today are a part of the current CPS system. These schools should be held to the same standard as current schools in reaccreditation. Charter Schools should adopt the same labor standards that regular CPS schools.

Is your campaign being supported by the Chicago Teachers Union?

Yes

The Chicago Teachers Union wants the district to focus on retrofitting schools with equipment that will battle the effects of climate change. Is spending money that way right now a good idea with the massive deficit the district faces?

Climate change is a real threat to humanity and we all need to do our part to address these issues. 

What is your biggest priority and what do you hope to accomplish on the Chicago Board of Education?

The financial situation at CPS is dire. Addressing that is my goal. I hope to bring a compassionate set of eyes to the budget that is set in reality to address the challenges we face as a district. We need to exhaust every revenue option and cost savings to ensure every dollar makes it into the classroom and that our obligations are met.