Ten newly elected Chicago school board members will take a historic step when they are sworn in on January 15.
Voters changed the school board format from its previous iteration in the November election. Now, instead of a solely Mayor-appointed board, a hybrid model is in place. These 10 elected board members will join the 11 members appointed by mayor Brandon Johnson in the new year.
The new members will be sworn in during a period of upheaval for the board. Seven of the previous members appointed by Mayor Johnson resigned following a dispute between the mayor’s office and district CEO Pedro Martinez, reports the Associated Press.
The 10 newly elected Chicago school board members have a difficult task ahead of them, facing a budget crisis, aging facilities and school safety concerns, but these winning candidates say they’re ready to take on the job.
Read on for more information on the 10 newly elected Chicago school board members starting in January 2025.
1. Jennifer Custer
Jennifer Custer worked as a language arts teacher, assistant principal and dean of students. Custer supports neighborhood schools as well as selective enrollment and magnet schools. Her platform lists access to wrap-around services from librarians, nurses and counselors as a priority.
The race for District 1 was close. Runner up Michelle N. Pierre ran on a platform for expanded support for English Language Learners and school choice.
Custer is endorsed by the Chicago Federation of Labor, the Chicago Teachers Union, Citizen Action, Cook County College Teachers Union, the 45th Ward Democrats and local labor unions.
2. Ebony DeBerry
Ebony DeBerry, the winning candidate for District 2 ran on a platform supporting fully-funded schools rooted in justice and equity.
The lifelong Rogers Park resident is a CPS alumna, a former CPS teacher and a former Local School Council member.
“I do not want to destabilize students who are at charter schools and thriving, but there should remain a moratorium on new charter schools,” DeBerry told WTTW. “Our priority as a board must be investing in public education.”
3. Carlos Rivas Jr.
Carlos Rivas Jr. is a proud product of the CPS school system. He serves as the director of public affairs at the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA).
Rivas lists his priorities as increasing equity in funding, representation in education and community-centered schools.
Rivas has expressed support for school choice and disagrees with the current school board’s decision to prioritize neighborhood schools, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times and Chalkbeat Chicago.
4. Ellen Rosenfeld
A former CPS educator and mother of four CPS students, Ellen Rosenfeld has seen the challenges facing the district firsthand.
Currently, Rosenfeld works as a family and community engagement specialist at CPS and helps run a Parent University. She has advocated for an independent audit of the district’s $10 billion budget. She also supports increasing English Language Learning resources, busing for all students and the district’s new school safety plan.
Rosenfeld is endorsed by Moms Demand Action as a Gun Sense Candidate, the 45th Ward Democrats, the Chicago Federation of Labor and a number of local labor unions.
5. Aaron “Jitu” Brown
Community organizer Aaron “Jitu” Brown has been fighting for education justice for 32 years.
Brown’s first priority as a school board member is to reinvest and refocus attention on neighborhood schools. He believes every student should have a world-class education within safe walking distance.
He does not support the inclusion of charter schools as an option for CPS students, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times and Chalkbeat Chicago in a questionnaire given to all school board candidates.
His endorsements include the Chicago Teachers Union, Citizen Action Illinois, Teachers for Social Justice, Cook County Teachers Union and democratic elected officials.
6. Jessica Biggs
Jessica Biggs is a CPS parent, former special education teacher and the former principal at Burke Elementary.
Her four main priorities for the district are ensuring access to high quality schools for all students, adequate funding, staffing and leadership development and increasing community engagement and accountability.
Biggs is endorsed by the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, CPS Parents for Buses and members of the city council, among others.
7. Yesenia Lopez
Yesenia Lopez is a proud alumna of CPS schools. Lopez’s priorities are equitable school funding, increasing student achievement and school safety. She advocates for improving student achievement through expanded access to bilingual programs, special education services and better mental health resources.
Lopez has a long list of endorsements, including the Chicago Teachers Union, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García, the Chicago Federation of Labor, Citizen Action and many local labor unions.
8. Angel Gutierrez
While Angel Gutierrez is not a CPS alumnus, he feels confident that his experiences as a nonprofit consultant will aid him as a school board member.
Born and raised in Chicago, Gutierrez served as the co-chair to the Nuestro Futuro Fund at the Chicago Community Trust. His three main priorities are responsible use of funds, board transparency and ensuring a world-class education for every student.
9. Therese Boyle
Therese Boyle, a longtime educator at CPS and a school psychologist, won the school board member seat for District 9. Boyle says her focus as a newly elected board member will be on how board decisions will impact outcomes for Chicago’s children.
Boyle supports CPS’s plan to refocus investments into neighborhood schools. She does not support the inclusion of charter schools as an option for CPS students, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times and Chalkbeat Chicago in a questionnaire given to all school board candidates.
10. Che “Rhymefest” Smith
CPS graduate Che “Rhymefest” Smith is well known for his success as a recording artist. Now, the Grammy-award winning musician will be representing District 10 as a school board member.
Smith’s priorities are the safety and wellbeing of students, ensuring community stakeholders have a voice and the financial growth and stability of CPS schools. Additionally, he does not support the inclusion of charter schools as an option for CPS students, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times and Chalkbeat Chicago in a questionnaire given to all school board candidates.
Another priority for Smith is making sure programs that produce good results like art, music and STEM initiatives are not subject to cuts.
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