Overview of Chicago’s School Board Transition
For the first time in Chicago’s history, all 21 school board seats will appear on the November ballot. Previously, the board consisted of seven appointees by the mayor. Now, as part of a two-year transitional phase, the board is composed of both elected and appointed members. The upcoming election marks a significant change, moving fully toward elected representation.
Jessica Biggs: Focus on Financial Stability
Jessica Biggs, a current school board member from District 6b covering parts of downtown and the South Side, is officially running for the presidency of the Chicago Board of Education. As a former principal and director of the Southwest Organizing Project, she emphasizes stabilizing financial conditions for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and fostering effective board collaboration. Biggs highlighted the need to refocus on education, saying, “Chicago deserves to get back to a focus on teaching and learning.”
Jennifer Custer: Advocating for Change
Jennifer Custer represents District 1B and embarked on her presidential campaign as an elected member supported by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) in 2024. Despite previous support, she has often diverged in key decisions. Custer aims to improve board functions by reflecting on past decisions. She expressed her intent to better prepare the board for future success.
Hilario Domínguez: Pushing for Additional Funding
Hilario Domínguez joins the race as a key figure within the CTU. A former special education teacher, Domínguez prioritizes securing additional state funding and shielding CPS from budget cuts. His entrance follows extensive speculation on CTU’s potential candidate for the board presidency. Recently, the board approved a $10.11 billion budget relying on $150 million extra state assistance.
Victor Henderson: Bridging Education and Legal Expertise
A seasoned attorney, Victor Henderson, seeks the unpaid role of board president. His involvement with Urban Prep Academies has informed his candidacy. He criticizes the political influences obstructing CPS and aims to shift focus back to educational environments, recalling experiences where the school system transformed students’ lives.
Sendhil Revuluri: Emphasizing Student Learning
Returning from his position as vice president, Sendhil Revuluri aims to lead the unified 21-seat board. As a parent and former teacher, he prioritizes the educational advancement of Chicago’s children. He emphasizes a citywide consensus on student learning as a key to future opportunities and is committed to aligning the board’s efforts toward this objective.
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