Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
I’m deeply committed to the children of Chicago. I have spent decades both as an educator and as a parent (now a grandparent) of CPS students. My career was in three under-resourced neighborhood high schools. I saw the contrast in what was available for my daughters at Whitney Young and my students at Gage Park H.S.
This added to my motivation to do what I could to fight for equity and fully funded schools. In my post-retirement work with the CTU, I led our work with the district to provide relief for overcrowded classes.
Are you in support of the most recent CPS budget that relies on uncommitted state funding?
I am a supporter of adequate funding from the State for all school districts in Illinois. The State’s own Evidence Based Formula (EBF) is only providing 70% of what the State itself defines as adequacy. Illinois is near the bottom of all states in providing funding for its schools. If we do not demand what is due, we will never get it and the decades of debt and pension ‘holidays’ will continue to hobble us and limit the opportunities for our children. I say no to that.
How will you work with CPS officials and staff to balance the district’s budget?
I have decades of experience working cooperatively with people who I don’t always agree with. I worked with principals as chair of the Professional Problems Committee, participated in teams to write the local school improvement plan, and coordinated joint class size relief between the union and CPS. I also served on the CEO/Superintendent selection committee of the Board which led to the almost unanimous hiring of Dr. Macquline King as CPS leader.
We will need to cooperate together, bring in parents, community organizations and union partners to forge a powerful alliance to gain the funding needed for top quality schools in all neighborhoods.
Other than the budget, what is the single biggest issue facing Chicago Public Schools?
I believe our biggest priority is keeping our children safe so they can learn and achieve their full potential. This applies both to physical safety in our buildings, protection against ICE and other outside forces, and psychologically and socially safe from bullying, harassment etc. This requires both policy, implementation and resources such as social workers, counselors, restorative justice coaches, English language coordinators and, for our students with disabilities, adequate special education teachers, special education classroom assistants, and other service providers.
What is a top issue for students, schools and families in your specific school board voting district?
The issues that are brought to my attention most often by schools are special education staffing and lack of sufficient janitorial services. Parents most often bring up school safety, class size, after-school and extra-curricular activities. From students quality of food and extra-curricular activities are often the focus.
If you accept campaign contributions from special interest groups, how will you maintain independence from those donors?
If you mean billionaires, charter school organizations, privatizers etc.... I accept none of that. If you mean support for my campaign from organized labor, including the CTU, I don’t consider these ‘special interest’ groups. They represent educators, working parents of our students and I consider those to be interests I have in common with them. Good working conditions are, without a doubt, essential for good learning conditions. I will vote with them when I believe their positions are in the best interests of our students.
How can current board policies and procedures be improved?
We are working on this. We have just divided our Agenda Review Committee (ARC) meetings into three committees (students success, operations, and finance/budget). I was elected by my peers as chair of the operations committee. This new structure will enable board members to focus, gain expertise etc. on specific aspects of the district and make recommendations to our colleagues.
I also believe that improving communications and getting more timely information and responses to questions would be very helpful.
How should CPS and the board work to address declining enrollment?
Declining enrollment is a result of a complex variety of factors. Most of the largest cities in the U.S. including New York and Los Angeles are experiencing population decline. The lack of affordable housing and the move of many corporations to the suburbs and the south and mountain west are part of why this has happened.
School enrollment has also declined as average family size has decreased. Additionally, Under-resourced schools or those that are perceived to be unsafe or academically inferior have led to more parents to use private schools, particularly during and after the Covid pandemic.
Do you foresee a need to close some district schools?
I don’t think closing schools is the answer. Creative repurposing with community voice in decisions may be part of the plan. I could envision cooperative planning with other agencies to open health clinics, food pantries, day care programs for young children and more as part of a plan. Not only were CPS' past closings, especially the mass closings in 2013, not significant money savers but they were community destroyers. They did not help improve student learning and they, according to recent studies, led to higher crime in areas where schools were shuttered.
Should CPS implement AI in its classrooms? What, if any, guardrails should be put in place?
I have signed the Pledge to Support Human-Centered Education proposed by Illinois Families for Public Schools. I support a three-year pause on the implementation of AI while we learn more, study its effects, and figure out how to protect our students from its most pernicious and dangerous aspects.
The board currently includes one Honorary Student Member. As the board has recently tripled in size, should that number be expanded?
I think that would be a great idea. I think three students, perhaps two high school and one middle school, would be a great addition to the Board. Working with our previous two students has been a great experience and they have brought creative ideas and important feedback to the Board.
How will you be responsive to student-led issues?
I have attended Student Voice sessions citywide. I’ve met with groups of students at a number of the schools in my district and met with youth groups from such organizations as Refugee One and FORA. I’ve also served as a volunteer judge for Mikva Challenge. I would be happy to meet with other youth groups in the community or at schools.
Did you attend Chicago Public Schools? When/Where?
I grew up in New York City and attended public school from kindergarten through high school.
Have you sent your children to Chicago Public Schools?
Yes. My daughters both attended CPS pre-k through 12th grade.
Have you ever served on a Local School Council? When/Where?
No.
Have you ever worked for Chicago Public Schools?
Yes. I was a bilingual high school social studies and ESL teacher from 1990-2011.
What neighborhood do you live in?
Edgewater/West Andersonville