Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
I am running because our students deserve better. I am running to represent the working class and middle-class families of the 9th district, families like my own. I am running to uphold the fiduciary duty as a member of the CPS Board to be responsible with taxpayer money. I am running to tirelessly work to mitigate the increasing CPS budget deficit projected to reach over $700M. I am running because current CPS students suffer the consequences of inadequate funding and inadequate resources, leading to cutting basic services like busing for elementary students and resources for special needs students, due to mismanagement. I am running to address the current, and growing, budget deficit plaguing CPS and to ensure financial stability at CPS. I am qualified for this unique position, and I am ready to serve on day one.
Why are you the most qualified candidate?
I am the only candidate in my race who has both legal and government experience and expertise navigating complex government budgets, which CPS faces with a $505M budget deficit. I am a licensed practicing attorney of over nine (9) years and continue to serve as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry. Commissioner Lowry currently serves as Vice Chair of finance for Cook County and Chair of Finance for the Forest Preserves of Cook County. I prepare, consult, and advise Commissioner Lowry on all budgetary matters as his General Counsel. No other Candidate has the experience analyzing and consulting on a $9B government budget. Additionally, I drafted and advised amendments for legislation the local and State level, such as drafting the Good Faith Effort Transparency Report Ordinance for Cook County, which increased the transparency of information regarding proposed contracts at the Board level. I also proposed several amendments to the Cook County Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. I successfully developed and implemented several programs, including a small business grant program, at the County level responsibly utilizing taxpayer money. No other candidate in my race has this level of expertise, and experience. Lastly, as soon as October 2024, I will serve on the Board of Trustees for my alma mater Upper Iowa University.
What is the biggest issue facing your specific school board district?
The $505M, and increasing, budget deficit, which negatively impacts our students and taxpayers is the number one issue facing my district, the 9th District. I speak with parents, teachers, faculty/staff, community stakeholders, and most importantly students, who consistently voice their frustration with the lack of resources and funds. Specifically, parents and taxpayers voice their concern relative to the negative impact this deficit will have on property taxes as over 50% of a typical District 9 taxpayer's property taxes goes to the Chicago Board of Education. I am the only candidate proposing actual solutions to create revenue streams to mitigate the deficit and provide more resources for our students.
How has your district been impacted by the shuttering of CPS schools?
Mayor Rahm Emmanuel closed fifty (50) schools over a decade ago and currently thirty (30) of these structures remain closed and unused. Fourteen (14) of the thirty (30) remaining closed and unused structures are located in the 9th District. CPS currently spends several millions each year to maintain these unused facilities in addition with the decrease in CPS' student population over the last few years. This is not fiscally responsible or sound to continue to waste taxpayer money for facilities neither the CPS nor the City of Chicago have immediate plans to utilize. Additionally, only three (3) of the ninety-five (95) schools in District 9 are considered "exemplary".
The shuttering of the schools negatively impacted many areas of my district as the closings decreased neighborhood education options and created dangerous conditions for students who had to go to schools in areas outside of their neighborhoods; often crossing through high crime areas.
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?
District 9's student population is 76% African American with approximately 81.6% of District 9 families identifying as African American. The influx of migrants affected all of CPS; however, District 9 was not impacted to the same degree as other districts, such as District 8 and District 7. CPS has a responsibility to educate its children regardless of their circumstances or how they arrived in the District. It is important to note no child has a choice in the educational decisions which impact their academic journey. CPS is often the only choice for most Chicago families, including District 9, therefore it is incumbent upon CPS to make public education the best option.
How do you believe the school board should handle the looming fiscal crisis at Chicago Public Schools?
Any approach to CPS' looming financial crisis should center around a "students first" approach. I propose CPS conduct an independent forensic audit of the currently proposed budget, specifically aimed at identifying onerous, duplicative, and wasteful contracts, which CPS can terminate or allow to lapse without renewal. Additionally, I am the only candidate in my race who researched and continues to propose CPS, along with local officials and State legislatures, demand State action via an amendment to the Illinois Lottery Law Act which would eliminate several of the "special carveouts" which syphon funds which should go to the Common Education Fund. Approximately 35% of Illinois Lottery net proceeds went to public education statewide. CPS, the City of Chicago, State legislators, and any special interest groups claiming to advocate for students, should unite in collaboration to demand a change in the funding for public education, specifically from the Illinois Lottery funds, to adhere to the original purpose of these funds. Our greatest investment is our children and their education.
A moratorium on closing CPS schools is set to expire in January. Should CPS consolidate more schools?
School consolidation is a nuanced topic which requires analyzing the state of CPS' truancy and attendance in relation to schools' census both before and after the moratorium. CPS recently passed a moratorium on school closures to extend until the 2026-2027 school year. I opine CPS should look to utilize its school space as a potential source of new revenue through the use of rental space agreements with vetted community non-profit organizations. CPS schools, from a facilities standpoint, offer great facilities and space which CPS could utilize as potential revenue streams. I further opine CPS should explore this route with extensive vetting of community organizations, along with allowing community, LSC, and parent input of potential nonprofit partnerships.
What is your position on closing selective enrollment schools?
I do not propose limiting parents' options to choose what is best for their children. CPS can and must improve our neighborhood schools by raising the acceptable standard, while sustaining selective enrollment schools. CPS must demand an appropriate share of State funding under the States Evidenced-Based Funding (EBF). This is a "both/and" situation. This will be difficult given CPS' current financial issues, but worthwhile for our students in the interim and long term.
Difficulty will not stop me from pursuing what is right. My family lived the disparity between neighborhood CPS schools and selective enrollment schools through my brother's and my journey through CPS. I went to Ogden and Lincoln Park for the IB programs, and my brother attended neighborhood schools. The difference was the breadth and depth of curriculum, access to arts, and extra-curricular activities. We can raise the standard utilizing the evidence-based funding model while tailoring our funding process as we see data trends through this funding model. Improving the neighborhood school will not take away from our selective enrollment schools and programs when I am on the Board.
What is your position on charter schools?
Charter schools occupy a niche in the Chicago Public School ecosystem. Again, I don not propose limiting parents' options to choose what is the best educational option and opportunity for their children. I held several talks with charter school parents, teachers, employees, and executives regarding the interaction and engagement between CPS and charter schools., Charter schools receive approximately 17% of CPS' budget but there is no direct oversight of public charter schools. I expressed to charter schools there must be more collaboration between the CPS and charter schools as we head into a looming financial crisis. The consensus is unanimous collaboration is imperative. Personally, whether it is a traditional public school or a public charter school, we must elevate the standard and quality of public education for our public school students.
Is your campaign being supported by the Chicago Teachers Union?
No
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?
No. It is not a good idea given the current looming $505M budget deficit. There are over $1B in needed capital improvements across the entire CPS district. These capital improvements include much needed maintenance and repair to structural elements of CPS facilities and schools. I propose CPS implement climate change fighting equipment where feasible as CPS addresses these capital improvements. CPS must complete a fiscal impact study to determine what, if any, increase in costs will occur if CPS implements this equipment. If there is no a substantial increase then implementation is feasible; however, if there is substantial cost increase, CPS should make the needed improvements without the climate change fighting equipment.
What is your biggest priority and what do you hope to accomplish on the Chicago Board of Education?
My biggest priority is to mitigate, and ultimately resolve, the looming financial crisis facing CPS. I prioritize insuring CPS is fiscally stable for the next ten (10) to twenty (20) years, while providing world class education for our students without running a deficit and unduly burdening Chicago taxpayers. I wholeheartedly root my priorities on the axiom "our students deserve better" and I will gauge my success on both qualitative and quantitative metrics showing CPS improved. We must strive to be a better school district each day.