The 2024 Chicago School Board Elections are coming up on November 5th, marking a significant moment in the city’s history as it will be the first time Chicagoans get to elect members to the school board. This change comes after years of the mayor appointing all board members.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with less than a month to go until the elections, don’t worry! We’ve put together a guide to help you get informed quickly. First things first, you’ll need to find out which district you belong to and make sure you’re registered to vote. Chicago has a tool available to check your voter status and district number labeled “School Board.”
Once you know your district, you can dive into our cheat sheet to get up to speed on the candidates. And if you have any questions, we’ve gathered answers for you. The shift from an appointed to an elected board has been a long time coming, with grassroots movements pushing for this change to give more power to parents and community members.
While the move to an elected board is seen as a positive step towards more community involvement, there are still questions about whether this will lead to better schools. Some research suggests that big-city districts with mayoral-appointed boards have seen better student performance, but the hope is that an elected board will bring more accountability and representation.
With a 21-member school board, there are concerns about effectiveness and governance. It’s important for voters to be well-informed and engaged to ensure that the elected board works in the best interest of all students. The future of Chicago Public Schools relies on the decisions made by this newly elected board, so your vote matters.
As you gear up to vote in the school board elections, why not also participate in our Best of Chicago reader’s poll to support your favorite local spots? Your voice matters in shaping the future of Chicago, so make sure to cast your vote on November 5th and beyond.
