DARK SECRETS: Elizabeth toddbreland | Rare Historical Photos

Brandon Johnson’s Board of Ed looks to move away from school choice, toward neighborhood schools

This would be a radical departure for a school system built around allowing parents to choose where their children attend. But it would be a welcome change for public education advocates.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 13, 2023

Black community leaders call on CPS to fix achievement gap

A couple dozen Black leaders attended Thursday’s Board of Education meeting to ask for a committee that would develop a strategy to help Black students academically.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 29, 2023

Despite Lori Lightfoot’s promise her Board of Ed wouldn’t be ‘a rubber stamp,’ it seldom crossed her

All but 24 of 2,048 votes by school board members the former mayor appointed were unanimously approved — a 99% passage rate with 98% unanimity, the Sun-Times found.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 28, 2023

Dollars vs. decentralization: Johnson’s and Vallas’ vastly different fixes for CPS

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson have strong ties to public education — and very different plans for Chicago Public Schools.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 29, 2023

‘The voice of the Board of Education’ longtime secretary Estela Beltran to retire after 37 years

Best known for her calm, recognizable voice leading board meetings, Beltran started her career at Chicago Public Schools in 1986.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 25, 2023

Chicago school board vice president steps down

Sendhil Revuluri, a former teacher and longtime education advocate, has served in the role since 2019.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 7, 2022

CPS faces $600M financial cliff as costs shift to schools with no long-term funding plan in place

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has moved millions in pensions and other costs to CPS before it becomes independent, run by an elected board. Those new payments and longstanding financial challenges could lead to dire choices once federal pandemic relief runs out.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 6, 2022

Chicago Public Schools to take over celebrated Chicago all-boys charter school

The two Urban Prep campuses will stay open for students, but CPS took the charter away from its leaders, citing a litany of issues.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 26, 2022

CPS advances plans for Near South high school despite opposition, threat to withhold state funding

CPS leaders said teens travel far for school now, and population growth justifies the school. Opponents said the plan is irresponsible and lacks community input.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 28, 2022

Does Chicago’s Near South Side need a new $120 million high school?

With Chicago Public Schools enrollment falling, the Chicago Board of Education is about to take up plans to build a new high school near Chinatown.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 22, 2022