President Harden, before we begin today's meeting, I would like to read a few announcements. Good morning. Welcome to the February 11th, 2026 agenda review committee meeting. Before we start the meeting, I would like to share a few safety points and next meeting announcements. Please
note that the primary exit and entrance to the boardroom is the door which you use to enter this morning. If you are leaving the room, please use this door. The restrooms are outside the boardroom to doors to your left. During the meeting, we ask that you keep all aisles and exits clear. If you need any
assistance during the meeting, please wave the attention of one of our security officers. Please mark your calendars for the upcoming meeting. The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. The board meeting will be held at 42 West Madison Street
Garden level boardroom. For details on how to reg register to speak or observe at the meetings and to learn about the speaker lottery process, please visit the Chicago Board of Education website cpsb.org. If you have any questions about registration or public participation,
please contact the board office for our assistance. Thank you for joining us today. President Harden, we are now ready for you to begin the meeting. >> Morning everyone. Welcome to the Chicago Board of Education Agenda Review Committee
meeting. Today is February 11th, 2026. I'm President Shan B. Harden. On behalf of my fellow board members, thank you for joining us today. We're holding today's agenda review committee meeting in the boardroom at the CPS Loop office, 42 West Madison Street Garden level. I'd
like to note that the board members and senior leadership are physically present in the boardroom. Registered speakers may join us in person or virtually if they've opted to do so. And registered observers are joining us in person.
The agenda view committee meeting of Wednesday, February 11, 2026 is hereby called to order. Board secretary, please call the role. >> Member Lozano, >> present. >> Member Smith, >> present. >> Member Lopez, >> present.
>> Member Bole, >> here. Member Wallace, >> present. >> Member Kuster, >> present. >> Member Rosenfeld, >> present. >> Member Rivas, >> present. >> Member Rio Sierra, >> present. >> Member Gutierrez, >> present. >> Member Biggs, >> present.
>> Member Thodicura, >> present. >> Member Blae, >> present. >> Member Zachor, >> present. >> President Harden, >> present. >> We have 15 members present. We do have a quorum. I'd like to also recognize Dr. Malleene King, interim superintendent,
chief executive officer. Elizabeth Barton, acting general counsel. Dr. Alfonso Carmona, acting chief education officer. Charles Mayfield, chief operating officer. >> The order of the meeting will be as follows. Public participation,
discussion of agenda review committee meeting items 1 through 7. We'll go into recess. Reconvene from recess. Discussion of agenda review committee meetings items 8 through 15. Go to cold session. Reconvene from cold session and
then we'll adjourn. We'll now proceed with today's public participation session. Thank you for joining to share your comments with the board. In compliance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, poll participation, sometimes referred to as public comment, is the portion of the board meeting or
hearing that grants district stakeholders the opportunity to address the board with their concerns and comments and compliments. Note that the public participation is a time for the board and CPS senior leadership to listen and hear from you rather than
take time for dialogue with board members during or after your remarks. And while we can't discuss personnel matters, hope participation is a key compliment is a key component of transparent governance and provides us as board members as well as senior
leadership an opportunity to listen to everyone who has signed to speak. The board takes equity of voice seriously and while we may not address your concerns directly during poll participation, CPS leadership is always present at our meetings and are able to
address concerns as follow-ups after the meeting. As a district and as a board, we also have many other spaces for authentic dialogue. For example, each and every one of our board members host board office hours so that we may have a conversation. So, please use our website
cpsb.org if you want to meet with the board member during office hours. We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with board members outside of a board meeting. Thank you for your attention and consideration. And lastly, as a reminder, union
representatives will be allotted 5 minutes to speak before pulp participation and any elected officials will be allowed at 5 minutes to speak after the conclusion of poll participation. Board Secretary, please share the rules of public participation. >> Thank you, President Harden. Before I
begin the rules for public participation, I do want to note for the record that member Deberry joined the meeting at 10:36 a.m. Members of the public who registered to speak were given the option to attend in person or via an electronic format. For
those who prefer to attend via an electronic format, they were given information to access this meeting by dialing a number and using their phone. We did this so that speakers with limited or no access to the internet internet or who may have weak internet connection could still participate using
their phones. Also, members of the public may submit written comments for board of education meetings via the written comments form on the board's website at cpsb.org or mailed to 42 West Madison Street Garden level. Written comments received between the day the public agenda was posted through 5:00 pm the day after the
board of education meeting will be submitted to the board and published within five business days on our website at cpsb.org. Speakers, please listen while I provide directions for public participation. I will call your name and number when it is your turn to speak. For speakers
joining us virtually, as a reminder to unmute, please enter star six. Once you hear your name, please state your name for the record. I will then start the two-minute timer. When there are 30 seconds remaining, I will inform you so that you can proceed to conclude your remarks to allow for the next speaker to
begin. For anyone standing with the speaker, note that in order to comply with the city's fire code, please stand along the glass partitions on the marked spots to keep clear. Thank you. And President Harden, before we begin, be before we begin calling registered
speakers from the speakers list, we do have union reps who would like to address the board. We'll begin with Jackson Parlor Potter CTU vice president who is here in person. Good morning.
Um I am here with my colleague Jen today to talk about an all hands- on deck moment. Um, we saw in the Sun Times this morning, um, some press coverage around what's going on in Portage Park and a lesson plan that went arry. And as a
white history teacher, it was always critical for me to partner with community organizations, Tamil Black came to my class plenty of times, civil rights leaders to get the content and pedagogy right that's rooted and relevant to the community. And we can't
just talk about Black History Month. we have to be about it and make sure curriculum's aligned and appropriate and relevant. And we also need to honor that history with accurate and honest and
truthful and empathetic teaching. And so it's important that the equity department, the teaching and learning department, we've written into our contract a requirement of black history being taught based on standards at the state and local levels. There is a rule
that requires eighth and 10th graders to learn about the Burge um you know awful period of uh forceful convictions and uh torture that the police department enacted. Um so that's not always
happening. So we need to combine forces in the agreement that you all approved. There has to be meetings regularly around academic freedom. That is that doesn't mean we just do whatever we want. Quite the contrary. it's teaching the truth and making sure we're holding
fidelity and that it's responsible. So, I want to make sure we get on the books um an opportunity to talk about that. We need better systems and we want to be partners. And to that point, we did request impact bargaining last time.
That's been rejected. Um I just want to offer this. We can bring in educators, district administrators from Minneapolis and St. Paul to go through how different and severe the crisis was they just went through and how they adapted and
evolved. Take us up on that offer. It doesn't even have to be formal. It can be informal, but we should do that. Um, lastly, Andrew Martnik is a union delegate at Hancock. He's been uh disciplined on pretextual basis. You're
going to hear from speakers today. and as a way to remove him from his LSC appointment. That needs to be looked into. That's not an appropriate use of discipline to remove somebody you don't agree with who's been duly elected. Uh last, uh I'm here with Jen to talk about
Aspira. They've announced to the world that they're insolvent and have no legal plan to avoid closing their schools midyear. This is a spir business and finance, a spir college. And while CPS has provided some stability in advancing
funds since Thanksgiving, uh they have told people that those funds are about to run out. There will be no more that CPS could do that's legal unless there are discussions and thinking around alternatives because this could happen
as early as mid-March. Uh Spir shared uh that they need $4.8 8 million we to finish out the school year and this is after CPS has already provided emergency funding and that amount is staggering. Um they're getting over 10 million for its two schools this year.
That's 4.8 million 40% more than what state law allows CPS to provide. So we have to hold them accountable. They must take action to defend our students and their families and educators who serve them. We know they own multiple
properties. One of them's worth $20 million. You collaterize that and that could help get us through the year for sure. They also own two other properties uh that they quietly moved to their foundation last summer amidst their financial crisis that should be looked
into. So, we need to come up with a plan for emergency purposes to make sure students don't miss their senior year and are scattered to the four winds that we have cohorts that we have continuity that there's some means which CPS hasn't
really been good at in terms of other schools that have faced similar headwinds. We've struggled around how do we maintain continuity? How do we ensure that cohorts can move together and be the least disruptive? 30 seconds remaining. >> I'll wrap up.
So there's 570 students at Aspira's two high schools. They would need to transfer schools when quarter 3 ends on March 6th. And that means we better figure out some emergency planning now. And if we can alleviate this cataclysmic
uh you know thing that's about to happen, perhaps that emergency plan will be used for next year when students have no choice. Thank you, Jackson. As you all know, I'm Jen Conent, chair of CTu's charter division. Like Jackson said, Aspira has
announced that they are short $4.8 million and cannot make it to the end of the year. They are insolvent. That means that their schools could close, like Jackson said, by mid-Marchch. Um, Jackson talked about the need for
emergency planning. You know, maybe there is a way to keep these schools open, but if there isn't, CPS has to create a plan to protect students. CPS's practice of leaving each family to individually contact schools to inquire about transferring would be
irresponsible in this situation. Parents always have the option to work independently, but it's one thing for hundreds of families to do that when they have time to plan. It's another. It would be disastrous if that's all the district offers as support in this situation. Students risk losing out on a
semester's worth of classes if they are not able to transfer to another school in a timely manner. If they are just tossed to the wind, seniors won't be able to get their diplomas alongside any classmates and they risk not graduating at all. Some students may drop out. And we know that students who transfer
schools are at a much higher risk of violence than their peers. So CPS must consider setting up a system that allows students to transfer in cohorts so that receiving schools are equipped to handle the potential influx of students. They know the circumstances of students transfer. They can work to mitigate
violence and so seniors can graduate with at least some of their peers. Some staff could also follow students to ensure there's enough staffing and to keep some of the school community together. We are not saying that parents shouldn't have a say in where their student goes. Of course they should. But
in this situation with the Spirra, there should be a a prioritized receiving schools that parents can choose from and a system that allows them to easily do that. We can't have 570 parents calling every school in a few mile radius trying to figure out how to transfer their kid
in a few weeks. The situation also makes it clear that there need to be guard rails to prevent this kind of mismanagement and failure by an operator in the future. legislation has been introduced in Springfield that would require operators to keep a certain amount of cash on hand and in reserves
and that and that would require operators to create a closure plan if the reserves go below a certain point. We support this legislation. We hope CPS and Inks will too. We should all be able to get behind protecting students. For CPS, CPS needs to reform its renewal
process. Espira was granted a two-year renewal last spring and they may not even make it through this year. The renewal process needs to predict these scenarios sooner so that interventions can be made and a closure and windown plan can be put into place sooner. As CPS considers any potential changes to
the renewal process, it's clear that any changes must bring more accountability, not less, and more protection for students, not less. Any potential changes should be tested out on last year's renewals. If the new system would give Aspira more
than a one-year renewal, then changes must be made. Finally, I want to speak to concerns from the Acero and Shy Arts communities. At the five Aero schools transitioning to CPS in a few months, teachers have received their early offer letters to maintain their current positions at
these schools. This process has been nerve-wracking for members, students, and parents. Every day, students approach their teachers asking, "Will you be here next year?" and teachers have been left with nothing else to say except I hope so. While many staff were invited back, we
were incredibly disappointed to learn. Despite being fully qualified, living in the city, being bilingual endorsed, many of our staff were not asked to return. Some of these staff members have been with these schools for well over a decade. They have watched their students
grow and made a home for them at these schools. Now they are being uh not invited to remain in these school communities. At CASUS only seven teachers were offered a position even though they will need 25 staff positions
for next year in a it's just a few mere months. So all these additional staff will have to be hired at CASUS. Um the many of the teachers who weren't invited back were bilingual teachers and we know that there was a preference for that. So it's not clear why they weren't invited
back. And none of this is in line with the resolution this board passed last year a year ago to maximize retention of teachers, staff, and students at these schools. And is this what will happen at Shy Arts? Will 200 staff members be
required to fight for the jobs only for 30% to potentially remain? Is that saving the school? The answer is no. It's creating a new school in the same building. CPS, this board passed a resolution for you to support the
retention of staff and not move them. You must do better. We must protect our students, families, staff, and school communities. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. Before I call the next union rep, I do want to note for the record that board member
Bannon joined the meeting at 10:44 a.m. and vice president Bautista joined the meeting at 10:42 a.m. The next union rep is Kia Banks, CPAA president, who is here in pres in person.
Good morning. My remarks are going to be switched up a little bit based on what my brother said just before me. Want to make sure that we are very clear. Chicago Principles and Administrators Association as principles, we also have been meeting with our brothers and sisters in
Minnesota. We've been taking the time to compare notes. We've looked at what happened here in Chicago and we've talked about the ways in uh they need to be prepared or support and what resources we can offer them and we agree and stand ready with our brothers and sisters to work with you so that when we
know as we know this is going to return. This will be coming back to our city. we will have had an opportunity to be better prepared, better equipped, and better resourced so that we can address not only the communities that we serve. But we have to be prepared to address
the long-term trauma that these atrocities are going to cause our students and families for years and years to come. When the cameras turn off, we have babies that are still sitting at home waiting on court appearances to see if their parents are going to be deported. We still have
people who are suffering trying to figure out how they're going to make ends meet and feed their families. So, I want to be very clear about the fact that this is not a oneperson problem. This is a district, a city, a state, a federal problem, and it's going to take all of us to make sure that our children
are resilient. I also want to address what I just heard from my brothers and sisters about uh the most recent charter transition. And our ask of you today is this time, will you talk to us first? And I mean that sincerely. We realize that every that
this is not going to change anytime soon. We realize that there's going to be a constant struggle between whether or not we can absorb, support, take on new students, transition, and bring students into our district under district managed schools. And that is
also something that our school leaders we welcome with the right opportunity to plan. You cannot drop students in a school where we don't have the resources, the staff, the budget or the ability to serve them to the best of the
their needs to what they need. Students have to come to school and we have to have the commitment not just of CPS because I have to be honest CPS has been meeting with CPAA since October weekly on all of the things that we keep talking to you about. That's why we
haven't been here because they are working with us. They are creating spaces. They are listening to our suggestions. They are creating opportunities to talk to departments and pull the resources necessary so our principles show up every day ready to
lead. But what we need what we need is when you make decisions about where these schools or these students are going, staff are going, how we absorb them, we need a commitment that that's coming with the resource necessary to provide them with a community that is welcoming, which is the best fit for the
children and their families and will ensure that they graduate ready to face the challenges of this world. And so I'm asking you again, please don't wait until the after the decisions are made to reach out to figure out where should our students go and how will they be
best served. We are the ones that have to make those a reality. So we are asking that you talk to us at the beginning. I want to say a special thanks to Dr. King and the administration that we've been working with for the past eight months. For the first time, we feel as school leaders
real progress. They're not just listening to when we bring an issue like budget and balancing it like LSC governance and how do we address it like how do we understand how the politics are impacting our schools. Dr. King and
her team have created spaces to bring school leaders, not just me but all of my colleagues. Anyone is welcome to come to the office and talk to the department heads and find out what and why this is or isn't working and what can we do about it. And for the first time, there
are actual plans that are being written. There are budgets that are being revised. There are systems that are being repaired so that we can do the work we need to do. and we've come too far for it to be February of 2026 for us to still not have the stability we need
and understanding that the work we've started we will be able to see through. So I am here to say that we want the opportunity to see the work through. We want the opportunity to make this the district that you all want your children to be in and the district you ran to
support. So I will make it quick. On Monday, we stood with CTU, IF senators, legislators about finally fully funding the EBF. We are going to Springfield next week to stand with our brothers and sisters, not to tell people what they owe us, but for
them to understand that Chicago's problems are Illinois's problems. And if we're not investing in our students and fully funding to adequacy, our entire state suffers. That is our workforce. That is our special education students. That's nutrition. That's transportation
that every child in every district deserves. And if we don't stop dealing with the mundane, now I won't say mundane, everything is important, but what I will say is that our combined collective unity has to be on what is going to move our district forward. That
is helping us to make sure that we're in Springfield alongside other partners to make sure we're getting this funding formula right. We don't need photo ops. We don't need performative outrage. We don't need to rehash previous administrations and what they did or did
not do. We need you. We need you alongside every school that you serve that you were elected to represent to find out how we're going to balance this budget, how we're going to identify new revenue, how we are going to address this ICE problem when it comes back, how
we're going to deal with the fiscal challenges. We need you to work with us. We need plans developed. and I'll be back in two weeks to see what progress we're going to make. So, thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next union union rep is Tummaine Reeves, SEIU
Local 73, director of CPS division, who is here in person. Good morning, President Harden, board members, and CEO King. Um, I'll keep it brief. just here to talk about a few things. A few months ago, this board
passed a resolution um coming out as a result of the transition of the former private board private custodians to becoming board custodians. And in that resolution, you all basically demanded to receive reports on a certain number
of frequency uh so often. It is important that you all enforce that because that data from those reports are going to let you know what's happening in real time as a result of that 500 plus worker deficit in the cleanliness of the schools. You may find that things
are going well. You may find that things are not going well. But whatever it is, you need that data and there has to be a level of accountability. So, please be sure to enforce that because what we're hearing on the ground is a workload uh
issue and we're dealing with that. But it's important for all of us to be aware of what the problems are so that we can partner and to work on a resolution to those problems. The second thing I want to talk about is the number of vacancies within the SECA
position. We need to pay attention to that. Um, and we believe that it is connected to the decision made to follow an outdated Illinois administrative school code that was last amended in 2009. It does not reflect the needs of
the students with IEPs in the year 2026. And so because of that, that may be a correlation to the number of SECAP vacancies. The reason why that's important because if we're not properly supporting these students with IEPs and 504 plans there, one, it's the morally
incorrect thing to do. It goes against the mission of Chicago public schools and there could be possible legal penalties with ISBY. We can avoid those things by looking into that data and again look into the root of the problem,
partnering to fix it. And then finally, again, like I said, I'd like to keep it brief. Um, as we look to the turbulence of this school year that you all have as a board have shown strong leadership in and stabil uh stabilizing Chicago public
schools, whether it's been the budget, whether it's been ICE, whether it's been uh, you know, violence in surrounding communities, things like that. One of the things that has been um plaguing Chicago public schools is the
inconsistency of the leadership. We ask that you look to stabilize the leadership with a proven leader in Chicago public schools. Someone who is proven to genuinely care about the issues and concerns of parents. Someone
who genuinely cares about the quality of education and who is actually qualified and again proven. So that being said, thank you all. Talk to you soon. >> Thank you for your comments. President Harden, we are now ready to be call speakers from the speakers list. And
we'll begin with the group from Chicago High School for the Arts. Greg Greg Gray Sundako. Speaker number two. Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to speak. I want to begin with the simple truth. If Shy Arts is not fully funded by CPS, students lose
futures, not hypothetical, real, measurable futures in education, careers, and community impact. Shy arts is not an arts enrichment program. Without fully funding, the quality of instruction, specialized coursework, mentorship, and industry level training disappears, and with it, the school that
allows students to move from passion to profession. I know this difference firsthand. I attended an art school, but it did not prepare me professionally. That came later in college. Shy arts compresses that timeline, aligning its structure with top conservatories and collegiate programs, giving the students rigor, access, and readiness years late
earlier and without tuition barriers. This is what makes Shy Arts transformative, not supplemental. In my applied production course, we don't ask how do you make art? We ask how do you build a life doing what you love. Shy arts students and alumni are front and center with Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl, leading Laal La Palooa, Jeff Award
nominated, and these outcomes don't come by accident. They happen because of expert department heads, deeply trained faculty, and a fully funded ecosystem supporting four years of intensive ensemble built education. When funding is cut, the losses are not abstract. Students have lost mural courses
connected to Chicago artists, as well as classes across all five disciplines we offer. They lose depth, specialization, and sustained mentorship. Here's a critical point. Equity does not mean lowering standards. It means expanding access to excellence. And shy arts proves that students from all
backgrounds deserve rigor, training and professional credibility, not shortened hours or after school substitutes. This is why being in a space together consistently matters. This is why shy arts is not interchangeable with extracurricular programming. This is why funding is not optional. It is
structural. To underfund shy arts is not a budget adjustment. It is dismantling of a nationally recognized model for equity, excellence, and arts education in public schools. Shy Arts deserves not just survival, it deserves stability, investment, and expansion. Thank you.
>> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Megan Pet, speaker number four. >> Good morning. My name is Megan Pets and I am an English teacher at Shy Arts. I appreciate this board and CPS are in a difficult position to decide on the
finances for the district as a whole. After my boss and school board at Shy Arts, alongside other charter school operators made decisions to close schools, the students, school community, and staff are relying on you to help keep these school communities afloat. I
know you are focused on equity, which is essential at this moment. However, what if you flip that around? Is it equitable to take this model filled with its opportunities for dedicated art students away? What happens as educators? We
think about the end goal of arts education for all of our students every day. At Shy Arts, our goal is a pre-professional conservatory model that lasts from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I know you have heard these words many times, but this is not the same as an art class
or a drama class as an elective. These students are choosing to pursue their in interest in the arts as a potential career path. Spending three hours a day, 15 hours a week in a graded assessed classroom space in cohorts of their peers invested in the same end goal. To
be prepared to be a professional artist who writes, acts, draws, sculpts, dances, sings, or plays an instrument. Fully funding our school day is the best most equitable option as this is not an option available to our students elsewhere.
>> There is no other school like it. So would it be equitable to eliminate our model? If this no longer existed next year, where would our students go to receive the same program? Not similar, the same. I am the proud daughter of a teaching artist turned professional drama educator. She founded a theater
company in Rogers Park and taught me and my siblings to find beauty and power in the arts. I sought out Shy Arts as a place to work because I knew the students and teachers shared a community that I could not find elsewhere. Please help us keep our model to fully funding it as it stands. Art
students deserve a community to flourish. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Caitlyn Ryan, speaker 26. Okay, cool. First rodeo. Um, hello. My name is Caitlyn Ryan. I am a proud parent of a CPS student, an artist, a
teaching artist at Shy Arts, and an adjunct professor professor at my alma marta Columbia College Chicago. I carry a commitment and passion for participating and facilitating public education. I went to a parochial school where arts were not valued. As a budding artist, I didn't know I was smart until
I came from um from my small town to go to Columbia College Chicago, where my world expanded and I was valued for the first time for my perspective and knowledge. Finding the right school at the right time is absolute magic. I have been on both sides of the CPS high school application process. As a mother,
I helped my student find the right fit for his academic and extracurricular needs, reading, going on tours. As someone who has done the research, I know our model is unlike anything else. For example, pro p prospective students get to meet with and have their work
reviewed by working professionals like me. Many people don't get this opportunity until they are working in their respective fields. That's why I know that funding the model of shy arts is equitable for the students of Chicago. It gives students across the city access to something that they
cannot find elsewhere and helps prepare them for the professional artists if they choose so in the city and community that values the arts. It treats them as a whole human being, not just someone with an interest or a hobby. I teach at Shy Arts most days from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. During the academic day, I am
a long-term sub working with diverse learners. And as a teaching artist, I teach studio research, animation, and digital media. I see where students excel or might need some extra encouragement. I don't see these kids as mere student. I see them as multifaceted humans thanks to our special model. The
extended shy arts family is visible all over the world in the beauty industry in the postsecary setting on the stage at the Super Bowl. When we treat the arts like the lifealtering endeavor and profession it can be, it changes lives. Full funding our program is equitable
because it provides something that if lost cannot be found elsewhere. Please help us save our school as a whole. >> Thank you for your comments. The last speaker from Chicago High School for the Arts is Jennifer Peppers. Speaker 27.
Hello members of the board. My name is Jennifer Peppers and I've been a teacher for 10 years. I have had the privilege of teaching at Shy Arts for seven years, leading the science department for four, and for the past three years, acting as an emergency deacto scheduler when our
administration failed to schedule our school appropriately. While still in the present school year, these hats weigh on me as I think about the upcoming year and the certainty and the uncertainty that we still face. Dr. Dr. King, last meeting you brought
up the importance of the funding model for our school and educating this board with the information they need. Your thoughtfulness in doing this right is appreciated, but we are running out of time and Shy Arts students and staff have suffered far too many times at the
hands of lastm minute planning. At times, conversations about our future in the CPS portfolio feel more focused on expanding our school program than ensuring we make it smoothly through this transition. While expansion is exciting, um what we need now is to stabilize our community first and ensure
that our model our model is codified into CPS's portfolio. The process at Aero is further along than Shy Arts and we can see from them that every moment counts. Their elementary schools have fewer hurdles to jump to fit into the CPS portfolio. Our day is unique and
important and necessary to save, but it will take time to build. We do not have answers on funding. We do not have answers on our day. This delays our preparation for next year. And as somebody who has seen too many times, >> these delays feel like writing on the
wall for another difficult start to the year. Our current staff are necessary to building a successful program, but we have had no guarantee that our jobs will be here. We need a commitment to retaining our staff and to work closely with new administration now to ensure
our community has the stability it has not received in years. I start every class with something I call a catalyst. Um something to speed up my students thinking and bring them into the classroom. Today I'm asking you for a catalyst. Speed up your thinking and
commit now to fully funding our school so that we can begin thinking about protecting our community and moving forward into the next year. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next two speakers are from Kenwood Academy, Michael Irvin, speaker number
three. Good morning, members of the board. Hi, my name is Mike Irvin. I'm the former basketball coach at Kinwood Academy High School. My work has always been about serving young people in my community. My f my family, anchored by my father, M.
Irvin, has been helping young people in the city since the 1980s. For over three decades, we encourage kids and help them join team sports and community programs. We use sports and mentorship to teach them discipline, accountability, and how
to access education and opportunities. Thanks to this work, over a thousand student athletes have received scholarships to go to college. After a decade of community based work, I chose to work within CPS to push that
mission further and to serve young people. For the past two years, I've been placed on a do not hire list based on accusations that I enrolled students at Kinwood Academy for basketball purposes. Throughout that time, I instructed parents interested in Kinwood
Academy to follow the proper CPS enrollment process. Enrollment fraud is a broader issue affecting high performance high performing neighborhood and selective enrollment schools across the district. Recently, there was a
public reporting about Whitney Young High School enrolling basketball students that live outside the Chicago area. During that same period, seven basketball players transferred out. Yet, the coach was not >> yet the coach was not placed on a do not
hire list and the students were not restricted from competition. There was another Whitney Young case in 2008 that ended with the same outcome. I'm not here to contest CPS findings. I'm here to ask for fairness and
consistency. Being on the do not hire list has restricted my ability to mentor students from CPS. As a product of CPS, I feel a strong sense of duty to return to my roots. Since my departure, I I
continue to serve youth in Catholic schools, but my objective has always been to work within to work with CPS students. Today I'm asking the board to remove me from the do not hire list and reinstate me with the same outcome given to others in similar cases and
situations. I would like to thank allow me opportunity >> uh to speak. >> Thank you for your comments. >> The next speaker is Lionel Kimble, speaker 2017. Good morning. My name is uh Dr. Lionel Kimell Jr. I'm a professor of history
and Africana studies at Chicago State University. I am a proud parent of two uh Kinwood Academy uh graduates and a current sophomore and I am a proud son of a member of the graduating class of
1971. and I stand here in support of our coach uh Mike Irving in his appeal to be removed from the do not hire list. Uh as coach has mentioned, he has been a diligent and faithful uh member of our
community. He has mentored a number of students and helped them achieve their uh goals into higher education. Um, at no time did he personally enroll any students in Kenwood Academy. At no time
did he bypass or attempt to circumvent CPS's enrollment policies. He consistently instructed families interested in attending Kinwood as to the process in which to follow to get their students enrolled. He parents, it is our opinion as a uh
also as a member of Kenwood Academyy's local school council. It is our opinion that parent parents bear the burden and responsibilities of following the procedures and protocols for enrolling their students, athletic uh personnel
and coaches. Those opportunities and those responsibilities allow outside of their purview. As as coach also mentioned, there is an issue of transparency, equity, and fairness. I think many of us in this room are aware of the allegations that
recently occurred at Whitney Young High School. And in that case, the coach has not been placed on a do not hire list. We respectfully ask that the board consider seriously consider removing coach Urban from the do not hire list so that he can continue to do the things
and help our students and take care of his family. Thank you very much. Thank you for your comments. The next group of speakers are from the Academy for Global Citizenship. Speaker number five, Chris Deatori. Good morning, members of the board.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I am here to respectfully request a 10-year charter renewal for the Academy for Global Citizenship. I joined AGC nearly six years ago as the sustainability coordinator and today I
serve as the managing director of Cultivate Collective, an independent 501c3 that shares its facilities and the campus with AGC. Through our four pillars, environmental sustainability, community wellness,
lifelong learning, and economic vitality, we extend the resources and the mission that really make AGC exceptional. AGC prepares students during the classroom day. Cultivate Collective
ensures that those resources and opportunities and learning continue outside of that classroom and for generations to come. We use food access programming, workforce development, community
education to make sure that our community members thrive beyond the classroom space. Together, AGC and Cultivate, we have created an ecosystem of education to see that our communities on the southwest
side remain vital. Through Cultivate Collective and AGC's teacher institute, we are sharing this model. >> You have 30 seconds remaining. >> We've worked closely with thousands of educators and administrators to address problems of practice.
And a 10-year charter renewal is more than a milestone. It's an affirmation of a model that works, a model that prepares students academically while cultivating responsible, engaged citizens for the long term. Having grown
within AGC myself, I can say with confidence this is a transformative model and it's one that deserves the next decade. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Nancy Vafranca, speaker number 11.
>> Thank you. Good morning. My name is Nancy Via Frana and I'm a former and founding parent of the Academy for Global Citizenship. I have two children who have already graduated from ACC. My son, who joined the school in its founding year, recently graduated college with a degree in earth and
environmental sciences. My daughter also recently graduated ACC and is now an IB student at Kennedy High School. I'm here today because I want to bear witness to the great education and experience that my children received at AGC. While at that school, they learn traditional subjects and skills. But what I
appreciated most as a parent is how they learn to think critically, engage in inquiry projects and become conscious about the role they can play in this world, and make their community better. For my son, it was wonderful to see him take interest in animals and in nature at such a young age. An interest that
led him to select a career in science, a career path where we know Latinos are still very much underrepresented. I have no doubt in my mind that this experience led him to um work at the science lab while in college and then and you know really get his first full full-time job
as an animal welfare coordinator. My daughter's experience was just as rich. She formed beautiful bonds with her classmates and teachers. And although she was completing her IB primary years project during the pandemic, I saw how she was thoughtfully guided through her project on something she was beginning
to care about, pay equity for women. I am certain that she remained confident and experienced success because of the way she was nurtured by your teachers. As a parent, I always wish that more children could have that same experience that my had that mine had. That's why I
joined the advisory council and after my kids graduated, I joined the board of cultivate collective to ensure that AGC's resources could benefit the entire surrounding neighborhood. AGC is an anchor in the community and is poised to do more with its new campus. It's a model school and community hub that not
only needs to be sustained, it has to be replicated as a model public school for future generations to benefit from. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Tony Sutton. Speaker 13.
>> Uh good morning, President Harden, Vice President Batista, members of the board, and CPS staff. My name is Tony Sutton. Uh my grandparents are part of the great migration journeying from Lexington, Mississippi to Chicago, raising a family in Cababrini before settling and making community in East Garfield Park. All
that I do and say is rooted in their hope and promise. I'm an educator. My career began 21 years ago as a Teach for America Corps member serving in Charlotte Meckllinmberg public schools, most recently as principal uh at DRW College Prep in North Lawndale and Royal Elementary School. Prior to that, I now
serve on the board of the Academy for Global Citizenship, and I'm here today in support of our charter renewal. Agency is a school. Agency is a community that lives its values, justice oriented, place-based, wellness, and sustainability. I had the privilege of
visiting AGC this year. And while at AGC and in the company of Dr. Smith, um, we ate the lunch the kids had that day, prepared by the school chefs. Lentil bolionadise with mushroom and onion pasta, sauteed squash and roasted sweet peppers, and a salad with honey vinegarette. Now, I am far uh my belly
would attest to that from a vegetarian, but the meal was extraordinary. The ingredients for the meal were from the farm at the school or locally sourced. This is an example of the daily experience of the students and staff. At AGC, food is medicine. At AGC, we don't talk it, we live wellness and
sustainability. At the Academy for Global Citizenship or Responsibility, citizenship, a responsibility that is of particular importance, there are democratic structures in place for students to inform policy and change and for staff to simply provide feedback to plans, but to be the designers of
outcomes and processes. At AGC, we don't talk it. We live and act to ensure the power to administer justice is shared. No matter what is happening in the world, and especially when certain things are happening in the world, the AGC community lifts each other up. They demonstrate courage and live hope. I'm
humbled to serve on the board of AGC, a board that this year had the honor of voting to approve an AGC alum, part of the first graduating class of eighth graders, a 2024 graduate of the other HU, to now serve on the board. Thank you for your time and for your continued partnership in ensuring schools like AGC
can keep modeling what is possible for our kids. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Adrien Via Frana, speaker 15. Good morning members of the Chicago Board of Education. My name is Adri Frana and I am proud to speak today as an alum of the Academy for Global
Citizenship. I attended AGC from kindergarten through 8th grade and the foundation it gave me not shap shaped not only my academic path but who I am as a career professional. ACC's unique model prepared me to transition into high school with confidence, curiosity and independence. The international bullet framework taught me how to think
critically, ask meaningful questions, and connect leaning learning across different subjects. Our dual language program strengthened my communication skills and cultural awareness, helping me collaborate with people from different backgrounds. An ability that proved invaluable once I entered a larger, more traditional high school environment. But what truly set Apart
was its environmental education. From a young age, I learned how my actions affect my community and the planet. I developed a conscious understanding for my carbon footprint, sustainability, and stewardship. That early exposure sparked my passion for the natural sciences, especially as it pertains to wildlife, animals, and caring for vulnerable
creatures. Because of AGC, I entered high school already driven by purpose. I thrived academically, stayed engaged in the sciences, and ultimately earned acceptance into the University of Michigan, where I majored in earth and environmental sciences in an increasingly eco-focused world. Today, I continue to carry AGC's values into my
work as an animal welfare coordinator for the Cook County Sheriff's Office Tales of Redemption Program, where I advocate for animals and the promote humane and community centered solutions. AGC did not just prepare me for high school, but it prepared me to create change and I am only one example of what
it students can become. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. Before I call the next speaker, I do want to recognize for the record that member Pope has joined the meeting at 11:23 a.m.
The next speaker is Jack Kerazales, speaker number 22. Hello CPS Board of Education. It is an honor to speak here. I am Jack Garisales, a NYP 7th grade student. The Academy for Global Citizenship has
been an amazing school. I've been I've been attending for nearly eight years. I would like to talk to you about our diverse nutritional school food menu. First, our menu is unique and compared to others. AGC, we learned the importance of nutrition in our day-to-day lives with our teachers giving us important dietary lessons as a
part of our curriculum. Additionally, we take surveys to make sure our school food is inclusive to all cultures. Our culinary team takes the time to improve our menu making sure we reduce rates waste and fill stom student
stomachs. Further on the topic of waste at AGC we use a compost bin in our campus reducing waste by going to the land going to the landfill by a margin. Recycling and composting are natural proc uh pro
processes that occur daily in AGC. On the other hand, AGC has given the their students opportunities in extracurricular leadership and internship. For example, we have a student council who are elect who are
elected and chosen to help build spirit and pride to our school. With the inclusion of internships, we help build students in more adempt with our teachers being personal mentors to us interns. Our MIP coordinator, Mr.
helps students with the high school entrance exam to gain acceptance 30 seconds remaining they choose. >> I would like to request that the board of education grants ACC a full 10-year renewal. This will allow more students like myself to experience an amazing
education filled with immersive trips, food justice, and awareness as a citizen of Chicago, but also the world. My time at ACG is nearly completion, but I'll always remember the experiences I had at the school. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you for your comments.
The last speaker from the Academy for Global Citizenship is Edgar Ramirez, speaker 24. >> Good morning. My name is Edgar Ramirez. I am the president and CEO of Chicago Commons, 135year-old organization that provides highquality early education to
more than 1,700 children on an a daily basis. More importantly, I am the proud father of Valentina Christina Ramirez, a student at the Academy for Global Citizens Charter School. For Valentina's first three years, she grew up in a home where Spanish was a primary was her
primary language. She attended a high quality inquirybased preschool. When it came time to choose a grade school, my Valentina's mother and I were looking for a place that honored our cultural identity while also holding high academic standards. AGC was a clear and
confident choice. AGC is a unique institution in Chicago. It integrate it and integrates inquiry based bilingual education with a strong emphasis on health, nutrition, community engagement, and environmental sustainability. At AGC, Valentina has not only maintained
her Spanish, but has expanded her reading, writing, and speaking skills in both Spanish and English. She is academically challenged, intellectually curious, and deeply engaged in her learning. Much of this is due to the dedicated educators at AGC, including
her teacher, Miss Claudia Franco, who brings learning to life in both languages and creates an environment where students feel free and supported and inspired. Beyond the classroom, Valentina has developed a strong sense of civic responsibility. She
participates in the school's green team. >> You have 30 seconds. >> Multi-grade club that promotes environmental awareness within the school and broader community. Through this experience, she is learning what it means to be both a student and a responsible citizen. Agency also serves
families in meaningful ways. I value their commitment to authentic parent engagement through ser studentled conferences, community events like parent vendor days that uplift local entrepreneurs and partnerships such as the cultivate collective that extend
sustainability beyond the school walls. The Academy for Global Citizens is a vital asset to Chicago southwest side. It is a school that continues to innovate, adapt, and deliver strong outcomes for students and families. I strongly support the reertification of AGC's 10-year charter, and thank you for
your consideration. >> Thank you for your comments. The next two speakers are from John Hancock College Prep, Alexander Angel, speaker number six, who is joining us virtually. Please, please enter star six to unmute.
Alexander Angela, speaker number six, please enter star six to unmute. >> Hi, uh, good morning. My name is Alexander Angelus and I am a senior and an LLC representative member at John Hancock High School on the south side.
As a concerned student, I'm here to request that the board place specific discussion items on the next agenda. My goal is not to propose new rules, but to ask for clarity and oversight regarding how existing policies are being applied at the school level. First, I'm requesting an agenda item to discuss the
application of existing student forum guidelines. Specifically, how forum dates and participation options are determined when a student is unable to attend on a schedule date. While current guidance allows the principal to set the for forum date and provides an alternative such as virtual
participation. This year, multiple Hancock student candidates were unable to attend due to an already scheduled school function and requests to explore schedule rescheduling to a more equitable date um were ignored. I'm requesting discussion on how existing rules can be applied in a way that
ensures access and fairness for all students in special cases such as my school. Second, I'm requesting an agenda item to discuss compliance with existing LSC vacancy procedures, including timelines for filling vacant seats. In my school's case, a teacher representative seat has remained vacant
since September when a special election was held and one of Hancock's teachers, Andrew Martinik, clearly won the support of his peers. I understand the board must make a final appointment, but I asked the board to ensure a full LSC at my school with candidates who have won the majority support of those they
represent. Also, a community member vacancy has been delayed for several months >> for several months uh due to table repeated tablely and impro improper processes. The delay raised concerns on how vacancy rules are being followed in practice. I'm requesting discussion on
expectations for timely compliance and oversight. Third, I'm requesting an agenda item to discuss the implementation of the student representative role under existing governance policies, including how student representatives are expected to raise concerns and how those concerns are handled when they involve procedural
or access issues. The goal will to would be to ensure that that student representatives can fulfill their roles as intended on their current guidelines without being discouraged from participation. As a concerned student, I ask the board to make my comments into consideration and to take action, lead with guidance, and give advice. Please
and thank you so much. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Christina Carargo, speaker number nine, who's joining us virtually. Please enter star six to unmute. >> Good morning, COP and board members. My name is Christina Kamargo. I am a parent
and LSC member at Hancock College Prep. I'm here to follow up on concerns about filling the teacher rep vacancy on our LSC. I would like to advocate for Andrew Martin's approval by the board as he receives the most support in the staff poll. While staff polls are non-binding, I believe the process for recognizing staff to fill vacancies leaves a lot of
room for manipulation. Since joining our LSC, I I've observed inconsistencies in how our vacancies are filled, including application timelines ranging ranging from two weeks to two months, misplaced applications, and confusion among candidates about the process. Last school year, we had a student vacancy
for about seven months. I agree with the fellow Hancock parents that vacant positions shouldn't stay unfilled as this leaves some stakeholders unrepresented. However, I also support a transparent and equitable city-wide system that guarantees all vacancies are promptly filled. At Hancock, we proudly
claim to be the first democracy school at CPS. But sadly, it appears democracy for us is slowly fading away. There seems to be a pattern of targeting stakeholders who ask numerous questions or raise concerns. This is part particularly evident with LSC and PLC members and students are not exempt. In
a true democracy, every voice counts and deserves to be heard. As LSC members, our role isn't limited to just listening to reports. We are meant to be a governing body with a voice in key decisions that impact our school and to serve respect. I've heard other LSC members voice similar concerns at board
meetings. CO and board members, please review the state coding guidelines LLC's follow. Our LSC guide is quite lengthy but still lacks comprehensive detail. The substantial gray space leads to LSC operations that vary widely across 30 seconds remaining creating noticeable inequities among certain schools. I also
kindly ask that you recognize Andrew Marick as the newest Hanok LSC rep. I strongly believe that anyone sitting at the table should have earned the most votes from their constituents. If CPS truly prioritizes transparency and community input, please consider what some of us are sharing. Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you for your comments. The next group of speakers are from Hogan Elementary School. Jacob Dom, speaker number seven, who is joining us virtually. Please enter star six to unmute. Jacob Dome, speaker number seven, please
enter star six to unmute. Jacob Dome, speaker number seven, enter star six to unmute. Hi, I'm Hi, this is uh Jake Dom. I'm a prek parent at Hogan Elementary in Albany Park.
Every child in our neighborhood has the right to attend Hogan and the number of families choosing Hogan grows every year. That is something to be proud of and also means they were facing very real and very serious overcrowding. Our students are learning in tight spaces. Meanwhile, a school building in
our immediate neighborhood will sit partially empty for years. This is simply unacceptable. It is absurd that a usable public school space exists nearby while Hogan students Hogan students lack basic educational infrastructure. We do not have a dedicated library and staff
are forced to hold sensitive meetings without private offices. We're being told that expanding North River is a solution, but North River is a citywide lottery school and only about 50% of their enrollment come from Hoggins attendance boundaries. Their students also come from Hib Pa and
Henry which are schools that are not experiencing the space challenges that fog Hogan faces. Expanding North River does not solve overcrowding at Hogan. It does not create more classroom space in our building. It does not priorit prioritize neighborhood children who
have the right to attend their local school. CPS stated that commitment to has stated a commitment to strengthen neighborhood schools. Now is the time to stand by that commitment. The available space is in this immediate neighborhood should be prioritized for Hogan
students. So tonight I'm we're asking for a practical and immediate step to allow Hogan to temporarily use the empty space currently available in the North River building to relieve overcrowding while a long-term solution is developed with if space exists in that building.
It should serve the neighborhood students who need it most. Work with us, prioritize our children, and give Hogan the space our students deserve. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Katie Ktop, speaker number 14.
>> Hi, good morning. My name is Katie Wheatley Ktop and I'm a preschool teacher at Hogan Elementary School. I am here today to urge the board to take action quickly to help Hogan find viable space solutions for our school. Currently, a proposed solution for Hogan
is to downsize our prek program to address space problems. However, shrinking prek is not a solution. It does not address the fact that we need to add at least three more home rooms this year just to keep pace with our current growth. It also ultimately hurts
our school in the long run by providing fewer students with a strong early childhood foundation. Hogan has become a thriving neighborhood school. A growing number of neighborhood families are choosing Hogan. However, our success has brought us to a breaking
point. We simply do not have the space to meet the demand. Our relationship with these families begins in preschool. This is where students and families begin their school careers and become part of our community. When families have a positive experience in our preschool, they stay
for the long haul. We are asking for your support to ensure our preschool program remains robust. We should not have to compromise our foundational programs because of lack of square footage. Hagen has become a strong neighborhood school because of the high quality
programming and support we provide our students. We ensure that every child regardless of where they started their journey feels safe, supported, and seen. We are asking the board to protect this success by providing the space we actually >> You have 30 seconds remaining. >> Rather than cutting programs that make
neighborhood families choose our school, please work with Hogan to find creative viable space solutions. Support the school that our community is so clearly choosing. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Esther Pomerani, speaker
number 16. >> Good morning. My name is Esther. I'm an LSC member at Hogan Elementary. Um, as you may recall, a block away from us, it's a half empty building and I have a handout that you'll be receiving that provides some historical context on that
building. We're here once again begging for the chance to temporarily use this space to relieve our overcrowding. On Monday, CPS's portfolio team communicated that they'd rather keep this resource vacant than use it to help
Hogan. Instead, they insist we use dividers to split special ed rooms, eliminate two preschool classrooms, use the teachers lounge as an instructional space, and discontinue our pursuit of a dual language program. These proposals do not solve our
immediate problem or provide flex room as we grow. They do not help us reclaim our library or give our art teacher a classroom. Most staggeringly, they tell our community to do less, be less.
But that's not how we operate. In our community, neighbors sell tamales on corners, drive scrap trucks, clean houses, bus tables. In our free time, we shovel neighbors sidewalks. We deliver groceries. We walk children to school.
We sacrifice so that our children and our neighborhood can be more. And our community thrives. Hogan is overcrowded because it provides a high quality early education. >> You have 30 seconds remaining. >> Because it's transitioning from a
bilingual to a dual language model to set ESL students up for success and honor their native language. CPS's family and community engagement team suggested that CPS replicate Hogan as a model neighborhood school, but out
of the other side of its mouth, the portfolio team tells us to do less. We're not asking for a $40 million annex. We're just asking to use vacant space to temporarily house middle school students from this same successful neighborhood school that was called out
in CPS's own 2029 strategic plan. Our community doesn't respond to crisis by doing less. We do more and we resp expect the same from our school board. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Kristen Hilleman. Speaker
number 18. >> Good morning. My name is Kristen Hilleman. I am a kindergarten teacher at Hawin Elementary School. Previously, I have had the pleasure of addressing this board virtually at the September 25th agenda meeting where we requested your support on our proposal to colllocate
with North River, a nearby CPS school in our Albany Park neighborhood with excess available space. Today, we are here to tell you that despite our proposal getting denied, we still have spatial concerns that have failed to be addressed or acknowledged. My colleague
and I each have 30 students in our blended kindergarten classrooms. That's 60 kindergarteners fighting for a space on the rug. 65-year-olds with diverse needs doing their best to learn the foundational skills for literacy and math while constantly having to adapt to
distractions and overcome daily barriers that arise simply because there are too many humans in their classroom. Nevertheless, despite all these challenges, my students have grown significantly this school year. We are still growing at Hogan both academically
and in population. These two facts should be celebrated by the district and the school board. But instead, right now, the portfolios team is saying, "Great. Next year, do it with less. Next year, split one of your classrooms into two so even more students can be shoved in the room. Next year, turn one of your
teachers lounges that shares walls with the cafeteria so that even more students will have to learn in an overstimulating environment. We are doing great work at Hogan, yet we continue to be overlooked and underserved. >> You have 30 seconds remaining. >> CPS choosing to invest in a choice
school over a neighborhood school is an inappropriate misallocation of valuable resources. So, I would like to call this board to action. Please help us. Support us. Pick hoggin. Allow us to give our students the neighborhood school they deserve. Thank you.
>> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Andrew Johnson, speaker 23, who is joining us virtually. Please enter star six to unmute. >> Good morning. I'm Andrew Johnson. Although I grew up in Colombia, I'm a proud CPS graduate, parent, and school
counselor at Hogan Elementary in Albany Park. Hogan is a vibrant, growing, inclusive, and joyful prek through 8 community and neighborhood school. While enrollment declines elsewhere, our families are fighting to stay way past
the migrant wave, sometimes packing two to three families into single apartments just to remain within our doors. Our school and neighbors have united to support them, and they love the community they have found. Our growth
isn't a wave. It is our reality. We serve a community that is 84% Latino and 87% low-income. And neighborhood families from many different backgrounds are increasingly choosing Hogan, but we
have run out of room. Hogan has two counselors funded by CPS and my half-time position funded by our LSC. Our case loads average 430 students. But as a counselor, my biggest hurdle isn't the numbers, it's the walls, or rather
the lack of them. I struggle daily to meet my ethical obligation to student confidentiality. When a child already feels unsafe, they shouldn't have to worry about who is listening through a thin partition. We are asking this board to grant Hogan
the unutilized space in the neighboring building which would remain for this neighborhood students >> if it was your child who had to choose between getting support from a counselor or not risk being overheard. Would you
still be waiting to take action or would you move to use empty space to help? Give Hoggin the ability to meet ethical obligations. Our students are worth the investment. We need you to prove that their privacy and their education matter
just as much as anyone else's. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. And the last speaker from Hogan Elementary School, Stacy Snagowski, speaker 25, who is joining us virtually. Please enter star six to unmute.
>> Good morning. My name is Stacy Snagowski and I'm a Hogan parent, small business owner, and 12-year homeowner in Albany Park. I'm also an educator who began my career teaching in Chicago public schools over 20 years ago and who now supports learning in more than 400 schools across 27 states. I've spent my
life in classrooms, and I know what space, staffing, and stability mean for student learning. I'm speaking today as a parent, an educator, and someone who invests in the long-term strength of this neighborhood. This issue is personal. My daughter Sydney is enrolled
at kindergarten at Hogan. Last year, she went to a different neighborhood school simply because the class sizes were smaller. This year, her class began at 30 students. She loves STEM, art, music, and movement like all 5-year-olds should. But overcrowding limits access
to those experiences and increases stress on teachers who are already doing everything they can in an aging building. And here's what's hardest to explain as both a parent and a taxpayer. There is a school 2 miles away with vacant space. Allowing that space to sit empty next year would be unconscionable.
It represents a $20 million public investment while the Hogan community is stretched beyond capacity. I want to be clear, this isn't about taking something away from another school. It's about using what already exists to serve all children. In my work, I see middle school students learning in dedicated
spaces. Hogan students like my daughter deserve the same opportunity. We cannot afford to let resources sit unused for months while needs go unmet because unused space is wasted in >> seconds remaining. >> Every day the board delays our wasted
opportunities. Authorize a one-year pilot allowing Hogan to use the vacant third floor space at Leland as a temporary solution. Let's test, learn, and iterate. Doing nothing is still a decision. And in this case, it's a decision to accept overcrowding while public space sits unused. Hogan can lead
here. We can model collaboration, innovation, and responsible stewardship of tax taxpayer resources. Our children should not have to wait for adults to figure this out. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Jasmine Torres, speaker
number eight. Good morning everyone. My name is Miss Torres. I am the LSC chairperson for Douglas High School. Today I am honored to speak about a place that is like our second home. Our school Douglas High School and our principal, Mr. Durr. Walking through the gates of Douglas
High School, one immediately feels a sense of belonging and inspiration. This school is a vibrant place of learning designed not only for academic excellence, but to shape the students character, personality, and future. Douglas High School is a place where
every child is encouraged to dream big. The classrooms are filled with curiosity and the dedicated teachers are the pillars of of their success, guiding them with patience and passion. Principal Durr is a visionary, a mentor, and a school's biggest cheerleader. He
navigates complex challenges while ensuring every student feels safe and supported. Principal Durr handles these pressures with incredible grace and enthusiasm. He is always keeping the students best interests at heart. In December, President Harden, CEO Keane,
and others came to visit Douglas and were met by our warm students and staff. Though we are small, our determination is mighty to ensure our students get the best education and high school experience as they can in our small environment.
We are grateful for the support that has been shown to Douglas over the many years. And despite some of our obstacles, we keep moving forward. We will continue to move in that direction because of the determination of our students, the support of our families,
and the belief from our community. In conclusion, I want to say that I am deeply grateful to be a part of Douglas High School and the LSC chairman. It is a place that molds the students mind, nurtures their souls, and prepares them to face the world. I am proud of Douglas
High School and I and will always cherish the time I spend there. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Bob Stack, speaker number 10. Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity and for you for providing
this for Thank you for providing the opportunity for community to speak with you and be a part of the school. Uh my name is Bob Stack and I'm a community member candidate for North River LSC. Uh
but before I address my agenda item, I would like to share a bit of who I am as it has influenced my perspective. First, I was motivated to become involved in my neighborhood due to the US government's insane immigration policies and am
actively working to improve and safeguard my neighborhood and involved in uh items in greater Chicago as well. Uh second, I am a US Army veteran. I spent more than 30 years working in marketing and advertising, production
planning and management. Uh, and 20 years ago, uh, when I moved to Chicago, I married into a Mexican-American family. I fell in love with one of the 11 children of Mexican immigrants. Sorry, it choked me up. I was a second.
Uh, uh, one of the 11 children of Mexican immigrants, Antonio Castul Ortiz. From them, I witnessed firsthand the drive to create economic and educational opportunities, not just for themselves, but for their family, friends, and
neighbors. They were able to live a version of the American dream through hard work, sacrifice, and community. >> You have 30 seconds remaining. >> Oh crap. To today, however, many families uh don't have that opportunity for all of that. I'm going to jump down
to the bottom then. Uh Hogan School and uh North River are just blocks apart. One's empty. Uh one's over overcrowded. Uh I'd like to see a fresh perspective taken to look at the
situation. Uh I'm also asking for transparency for a process that builds trust and mutual respect. Reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. Eliminate the perception of secrecy. bring all concerned stakeholders together in
person to collaborate and reach consensus. Our children deserve stability. Our families deserve clarity. And our community deserves leaderships that listens and acts to facilitate the American dream to help give these kids
what they need. And this is about the community around these two schools. For me, it's very personal. and uh if we act soon we could make this effectful solution for the 20 26 27th school year.
>> Please conclude your remarks >> and uh we can achieve equitable outcomes for children but I really really believe and based on all the kind of work information I provided the we and the
consensus is what is so important. We need to be all involved. Thank you all very much. Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Jillian Karu, speaker 19. Good morning. My name is Jillian Karu and I serve as the assistant director of
targeted student support for Noble Schools. I work across our 17 schools to ensure our greatest at promised young people, those impacted by guns, gangs, drugs, and the court system, receive the support they need to survive the streets of Chicago and thrive in the life of their choice. Previously, I have served
as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, nonprofit leader, and CPS vendor. And I currently serve as the community member on Simeon's local school council. Black History Month is often framed as a time to look back, and I will always honor those who gave up
the opportunity to realize their dreams so that I could one day live mine. That said, I experienced Black History Month as both a celebration and a reckoning. As a proud black woman raised on the south side of Chicago, I know what it means to struggle. Nine of us lived in a three-bedroom unit in Agill Gardens.
Survival was communal, not because we didn't value life, but because systemic inequities made escape difficult. The summer I graduated 8th grade, I lost my brother to the streets. Like many black children, I learned early how to survive systems that were never designed to
protect or nurture our potential, overpoliced, underresourced, labeled instead of supported. This is black history. But I also learned the power of community and educators who refused to let my story end where it began. They
demanded excellence, not as exceptionalism, but as the result of intentional investment. This is black history, too. And it is why I do this work, especially in service of our black students who face the greatest barriers. As you review applications for the Black Student Success Committee, I urge you to
ensure strong representation from leaders with charter school experience. According to CPS data, seven of the top 15 high schools serving the highest percentage of black students are charters, including four Noble schools. At Noble, where 49% of students and 38%
of our staff are black, black excellence shows up in a real and powerful way. To meaningfully address black student achievement, charter schools must have a seat at this table and be funded equitably. Progress demands partnership. I look forward to partnering with you all to ensure our beautiful, brilliant
black students can achieve their greatest aspirations. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Hannah Malassi. Malasi, speaker number 20. Okay. Good morning, President Harden and members of the board. My name is Hannah
Malysy and I'm the director of external affairs for concept schools. I'm speaking today about our systemic failure and how our schools are funded. When you look at the math, especially compared to ISBY authorized charters, it is clear that Chicago charter students are being shortchanged. The massive
shortfall is driven by aggressive deductions for the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund. Beyond standard contributions, CPS applies two additional pension related reductions. First, a deduction of $2,136 per pupil for short-term debt and pension obligations.
Second, a further 11.16% deduction from certified staff salaries, which funds system level obligations rather than individual student accounts. Using Chicago Math and Science Academy, the second best charter high school in the state, as an example, this second
deduction alone removes $832 per pupil. When you do the math, the total reduction is $2,962 per student. This means the statutory funding level of roughly $19,700 per student is effectively slashed to 16,780.
We're operating at only 82% of the original funding level. This methodology applied since 2018 has denied CMSA and other CPS authorized charters millions of dollars. Across the city, the disparity for FY26 alone is estimated to
be at 59 million. This is not just ine inequitable, it's unlawful. Illinois school code is >> 30 seconds remaining. >> Under no circumstances may funding fall below 97% yet here we are at 82. CMSA, a
school that has received goal status by the AP college board is currently up for renewal. We deliver excellence every day despite this financial handicap. We're asking for a 10-year charter renewal for CMSA. If this board cannot currently guarantee the equitable funding we legally entitled to, you can at least
grant us the stability required to survive it. We ask you to do the right thing and grant CMSA a full 10-year term. Thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Irene Bermudez, speaker number 21, who is joining virtually.
Please enter star six to unmute. >> Good morning. My name is Irene Bermudez and I'm a lifelong resident of Rogers Park and I'm the community relations coordinator at CMS, Chicago Math and Science Academy. I'm here today to ask for a long-term 10-year renewal for my
school. My roots in this city go deep. My family arrived here from Cuba in 1966. Growing up, I watched my brother, who had a learning disability, uh, not be able to get the education he needed because the resources were simply not available. Because of that history, the
work I see happening every day at CMSA is not just professional for me. It is deeply personal. In my 14 years at this school, I have been moved to tears by the dedication of our staff. I see what happens when a community decides that every child is worthy. The MSA focuses
on the strengths of students regardless of their label. We have seen hundreds of students walk proudly across our stage. The culture of inclusion is shared by everyone and we provide the resources my brother never had. Ensuring that a learning difference is never a barrier
to potential. This inclusive environment produces elite results. The MSA our motto is where excellence thrives and we have clear evidence that we are living up to our motto. The MSA has earned the College Board AP gold level school honor
role for the 2024 25 school year. Only 7% of eligible schools received this recognition. This marks the third time CMSA has distinguished itself on the AP honor role having previously won the computer science female diversity award. >> 30 seconds remaining
gurly mira in the US News and World Report. We consistently deliver more with less. Please help us keep the promise to the Rogers Park community to be a beacon of hope for all our families by granting us the 10-year renewal we very richly
deserve. Thank you very much. >> Thank you for your comments. >> The last two speakers from the speakers list are from Charter Schools. Lucy Salgado, speaker number 28. Hi everybody. I'm once again here. I'm
here this morning because we're deeply um we're deeply worried for the future of our school and our community. As we go through this transition, one thing is clear. Our kids need stability. Change is already hard
for children. Changing routines classmates can be overwhelming during a time like this. The one constant thing they should be able to rely on is adults who they know best. They're teachers. Our teachers are more than instructors.
They know our children's strength. They know their struggles. They know who needs extra encouragement or who needs structure or who just need someone to believe that believe in them. The kind of relationship cannot be replaced overnight.
We stand I'm sorry. When students walk into a class and see a family, a familiar face, someone who already understands them, it lowers their anxiety. It builds confidence. It keeps it keeps their learning on track.
Stability is not a luxury u during a transition. It's a necess necessity. I'm going to go off course because obviously I'm very nervous. Um, this was supposed to be a smooth transitioning. This is nothing but smooth for some of these schools. This
is bad. And the times that we're living and our children are living, we should keep our all of our teachers, especially the ones that are qualified to stay in our schools. >> You have 30 seconds remain. >> A lot of these teachers are qualified. I don't think it's fair what we parents
have been through, what we did here. And not to keep all of our teachers is not fair. Our teachers is what make our school great. Not a building, not classrooms and chairs. It's our teachers. We were fighting for our teachers because they are part of this
community, not a building. I could go to a different building, but no, we want our teachers. And I'm asking here, I'm asking everybody at the board to please help us and talk to these principles. We want to keep all our teachers. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments. The last speaker from the speakers list is Mariela Hakoba, speaker number 29. is Mariela. Camboso. inspo director. Gracias.
The statement will be translated. Good afternoon, dear members of the board of education. My name is Mariela Hakobo and I speak on behalf of the organized parents and families of Barto Lacas School. I want to be clear from the beginning. All of our letters and
statements have one single purpose to keep our teachers, staff, students, and families united as one school community. For that reason, we are calling for the removal of acting principal Cassie Cornblau.
During our formal meeting, our concerns regarding teachers and students were addressed in a manner that was perceived as arrogant and dismissive. Many families left that me that meeting feeling disrespected, unheard and experiencing a clear cultural disconnect
and microaggressions. This type of leadership does not build trust or stability. However, we are not here only to oppose. We are here with a collective solution. We request that principal Sui Himemenz
remain as the principal of our school. She knows our students, families, and teachers. She has led with respect, cultural sensitivity, and a strong commitment to bilingual education. Under her leadership, our school has maintained stability and unity.
Barto Lomeas remains open because families and educators fought together. This is our school and we ask that the voice of the community be respected. I also have one final thing to say. We want respect for our teachers, not for a few minutes by the interim principal,
but for the long haul. This is it. Thank you, >> President Hardin. This concludes public participation. >> Thank you, Secretary. Uh, any questions from the or comments from the board members? I have Norma. Um, board member Norma Rio
Sierra. >> Thank you, Vice President Bautista. Uh, I want to make some comments about Aspira. Um, all of which are in district 3A. Um, and it breaks my heart to see
another charter school in crisis. Um, and I feel like we spent a disproportionate amount of time discussing charters and the issues around charters. Um, and I just want to remind all of our students across the district that they are all equally
important whether they at a charter, at a traditional, or at an option school. I look forward to a day where we can be discussing something other than how are we going to find money to fund to to save these schools. I really genuinely look forward to that day. Um I want to
thank Dr. King for acting in good faith and supporting the school to the point to to to what we can legally support them with. But we've come to a space where we are the very real reality is that we are going possibly see a mid-year closure.
Um, and thank you, President Banks, for your remarks. I completely agree. We should be moving towards creating systems of support, community schools that are that are going to be able to
welcome our students and our families. We should be moving with intention, with compassion. Our students not only deserve joy and rigor, they they deserve nurturing and understanding. This is a terrible time for them to be going to school.
There is no stability. Our teachers don't know if they're going to be paid and this needs to stop. We need to create a plan moving forward. I've already spoken to principles at Kelvin Park and Roosevelt and I'm grateful for their ability and their willingness to support. Uh these
conversations should be having should be happening continuously. Um and I want to make sure that we prioritize the student experience throughout. Um so please I want to ask Dr. King for a clear readout of what we are doing
because we have been supplying advances without a clear financial picture. We need to know answers and we need to have our families ready to be supported. >> Thank you. Uh, next we have uh board member Smith.
>> Thank you. Uh, I want to echo uh some of what member Rio Sierra uh has said, but the way I want to echo it is uh I spend a lot of time outside of this part-time job visiting schools and in
community. And I want to talk a little bit about what I'm hearing from students and what I'm hearing from uh our professionals who staff our schools that good governance and stability, trusted
governance and stability is what people are looking for the most from their schools and from their school systems and in trusted governance and stability. Uh we heard at our last meeting from the
NAACP about how confident they are in the leadership of Dr. King. We just heard uh board member Sierra. Thank you for your leadership today. We heard from
President uh Kia Banks, from CPAA about how they finally the principles finally feel listened to and the the principles feel like they have a true partner in you. I think that's beautiful. And the schools that I visit,
uh there there are over 91 schools in the 10th district. Every time I'm visiting a school, you seem to beat me there and be there first, Dr. King. Um, you know, uh, also, uh, I'm I'm getting calls from network chiefs. I'm getting
calls from principles. I'm hearing from teachers that they feel confident in your leadership. And because I believe that that's what's best for student learning, is for the people who staff CPS, the professionals here to feel
confident in a leader. That makes me confident in you. And I just wanted to thank you. Uh we also heard from brother uh Tmaine from SEIU who said the thing that our labor partners are looking for the most is stable leadership. So I just
wanted to take this time to just say thank you. Thank you for balancing the budget. Thank you for visiting schools. Thank you for inspiring confidence in our partners. And thank you for being here and being a competent leader. Thank
you. Thank you. Um, board member Blae, I'm sorry, board member Coaster, followed by board member Blaze. >> Thank you, Vice President. Um, although they were not here today and they were not able to come and speak today, there are a few people that I would like to thank and I know that they are watching.
Um, I want to say thank you to Miss Rachel Davidson and Miss Justine Hunter from Lake View High School for having their AP English language arts composition students send essays to board members. Um, I was a longtime
language arts teacher and this was a real treat for me. I really enjoyed it um, having some time to read essays from students. But one of the things that the students talked about was changes that they would like to see in the educational system and things that they think would be changes for the better.
Um that they've researched and talked about and made connections. Um and it's hard to share your work with people. It's hard to come up and speak. It's hard to have the courage to share your ideas and be vulnerable. So I want to thank those courageous students who
submitted essays to me and shared their thoughts and ideas with me. Um Allison, Yurea, Jasmine, Annael, Juan, Jacquellyn, Victoria, Natalyia, Andrea, and Melanie, thank you for your courage. Um, I really enjoyed reading your essays and in each of them, I saw great sparks
of greatness, ideas worth sharing, and I felt your passions, I felt your effort, and all of your hard work. And it really warmed my heart, and it was a great privilege um to read them and send you feedback afterwards. So, thank you very much, and um, keep up the great work.
>> Thank you. Um, Barber Blaze. >> Thank you. I just want um to just circle back to Coach Michael Irvin's testimony and I I too am interested in how the do not hire
list works. Um, if a basketball coach has students who've lied on their paperwork, how do they end up losing their job and on the do not hire list? So, if we can get I'm sure other board members might be interested in this, too. if we can just get information on
that. Once again, um I remember Principal Callaway testifying um how her staff was getting vilified, how they were getting dragged through the media just because there were students
lied on their application and played a sport. Um and apparently this is a district-wide problem. I don't know how it's addressed in other schools. Um, but I I would like just some additional information on the do not hire list and
also just a quick shout out to a AGC's Tony Hutton for coming for east from East Garfield to um say hi. We always love East Garfield in the house. Thanks everybody. >> Thank you board member Lopez.
>> Thank you. First of all, I want to thank the parents, students, community leaders who came out uh this morning to, you know, share ideas, concerns with us and also for those individuals that meet with us between meetings. I either meet with
community at events or during office hours and some of the items that were brought up um and I'll try to be brief. Uh thank you to also SAIU for bringing up with the custodians something that I also have heard directly from parents um
concerns, right? and going what are we doing to address some of these square footage that they feel like is not getting the same attention that it used to before. So definitely something that I want to follow up on. The other I want to thank uh Dr. Banks also for mentioning the importance not thinking
of just right now the short term but the long term the impact that right now the federal agents in many of our communities what it's having and trauma impact. Um, I more than welcome the opportunity to work together and how do we address these issues and how do we
get ready as a district for one once ICE comes back to our communities and it's something a conversation I know many of the board members we're having also with the district leadership and the other part um you know actually two of them as it relates to the charter
schools uh board member thank you for sharing those words I'm sorry your community is going through this as many of you recall district I represent went through this last year with the uh Aetto schools and right now hearing some of the you know concerns regarding trans
transitions. Um I had the opportunity to join the Tamayo community at one of their meetings uh earlier this month and I want to continue that conversation. How do we make this a smooth process for everyone involved? Thank Thank you.
>> Thank you, Barbara Deberry. >> I just really, excuse me, everyone. I just really want to salute the parents, the teachers, and the students of uh Sarah, Shy Arts, and Aspira. You're all very well organized. You're clear on your demands.
You're clear on your love for the children, the teachers, and the students. We need you with us in Springfield to strengthen the guard rails for these charter operators. We need you to help us make sure that we are fully funded and getting progressive
revenue so that all of our children get what they deserve. It is so unfair what is happening to our children in this system and we cannot let operators leave us hanging in this way.
All of our children are important to us and we cannot prioritize some over others. We need to work strategically and together and you all are ready. You're empowered. So please support us. Thank you.
>> Board member Gutierrez. >> Um thank you um member Bautista. Um, I want to address the folks at uh, Hancock. Um, we're working on that those particular issues
and the goal is to at least have one of those things resolved by our next board meeting while we continue to work as a district on a on a wide variety of matters related to uh, local school councils. and uh that and I also want to
echo uh how much I appreciated um reading student essays and seeing quotations of Plato in them. Uh it warmed my heart. So continue that good work out there.
>> Member BS. >> Um I too would like to echo several of the comments that I heard today in support and recognition of Dr. King's leadership. Um Dr. King, I've long admired uh your integrity and I'm so thankful for the ways that that I've
been able to witness that at work in this role. I'm thankful for the ways that you consistently show up in community and actively listen and immerse yourself in our schools and their experiences. Um I am thankful currently for your early work on what we
know will be another challenging budget season. I am encouraged uh that roundts are already well underway with clear timelines in place. Um you are providing the direction and the stability that our district so desperately needs in this moment. Um and for that I am
tremendously thankful. >> Board member Bannon. Board member Deberry kind of stole my thunder, but I'll just uh uh I wanted to also call out the the Aspiro families, Spiro families for um
um you know, just coming out and um um reminding us of what's so important about those schools. Um same goes for uh Chry Arts. Um and that um we we can once we uh figure out um the future of these
schools, we can join in common cause uh in Springfield to get some uh progressive revenue for Chicago schools. And um that will um go a long way to solving our our staffing problems and uh
programmatic problems and capital uh um funding problems. And there's a actually I I wanted to call out uh an article in the Sun Times today um about some uh bills that were introduced in particular by um State Senator Gracia Laguzman
who's in my district um that talks about how we can um practical ways um that we can fill those funding gaps. Check it out. >> Wonderful. Uh board member Lozano followed by board member Zachor. >> Yes. So, I want to thank all the parents
and and also uh the union members that came out to speak today to give us some advice on how to move forward on all of these issues. I am personally very concerned uh with the planned return of
ICE agents to Chicago coming back to our communities. I've met with parents and I've met with their students and they are experiencing tremendous anxiety. Um, and today we received two
invitations. One from the leaders from CTU that advise us to meet with the leadership in Minnesota so that we can better understand uh what went down there. there was even people that lost
their lives so that we could be much more prepared here. I believe that that needs to be done. Also, uh we must join with our partners. you know, we need to have a meetings with the city, with the Chicago Police Department, uh with CTU,
with community organizations, our rapid response teams because they are coming back. And uh the promises that they made um have left our communities full of full full of fear. And I believe too
that going to Springfield, not only asking for full funding, but also joining together and finding ways how we're going to protect our schools and our communities, uh, is a discussion that needs to be had and plans that need to be made.
Chicago. Minnesota. Fore and Springfield. Order member Zore. And then our final um comments by board member Pope. >> Thank you. Um and I also want to thank the uh the parents, the teachers, um our
partners and uh students for their input and especially those students from Lake View, one of my schools. Um it will take me actually a while to respond to all those essays, but I am going there to meet with students and um hope to hear some more of your ideas. Um the main
thing I just wanted to emphasize is um you know we're hearing a lot of really important issues and uh some requests for followup and so I just really want to emphasize that like um it's you know urgent urgent in terms of time um to you
know hear what we're going to be doing about espida hear the plan um especially if you know we're on the verge of potentially them closing next month. So, uh, really critical that we get that response. Um, you know, we're hearing
from a lot of people at Hogan about an urgent situation. So, I I'd love to hear what, um, you know, what the resolution of that will be. Um, it's been raised that uh, we need to have a deeper understanding of the do not hire process and whether it's being
implemented fairly. So, I just really want to emphasize um you know, getting feedback on these issues that get brought up in in public participation, especially the ones that have a really urgent time frame. >> Thank you, >> Pulp.
Hello. Um thank you so much everyone who has brought their concerns to us. These are all very important issues and we really appreciate you taking the time and effort to do so. I'm going to address something that's a little bit
difficult and that is the situation at Aspira. And the situation at Aspira is not a creation of the board of education. It's not a creation of the INI department. It is a creation of what
appears to me from everything I can read to be fiscal irresponsibility on the part of a charter operator. a charter operator that has prioritized other things than students and families. And this is not the this is not how it's
supposed to be. If the Aspir campuses close, it is the responsibility of us as the board of ed and Dr. King as our leader to create a plan so that these students can transition to other schools so that they do not lose their credits
so that they do not become victims of the fiscal irresponsibility of their operator. These children are blameless. Their families are blameless. They put their hope, their faith, and their confidence in a school and the school has not measured up. As far as I
understand, there was an audit due on November 1st and that audit has yet to be put brought to us. That is not right. When you are in a financial crisis and you keep coming back to us and asking us for money and you're not showing us your
accountability, that is unacceptable. And it's unacceptable not just to us as a board. It's unacceptable to children and to parents and to future citizens and activists and uh adult learners and parents of the future in our system.
This is not right. CPS, we need to make a plan to ensure that these children are not the victims of this. And we also need to put in place a larger plan of greater fiscal accountability and more responsibility for all charter
operators. We have now seen a succession of these events and this is unacceptable. We care about all children and because we care about all children, we cannot let this continue to happen. And uh I just want to say that I'm very
glad that board member Rio Sierra has spoken with the leaders at some of the neighborhood high schools. This may be the best solution for children. We are not the ones if if a if a spir closes. We are not the ones closing a spirit's
actions and a spirit's plans and a spear's decisions are what is closing that school. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Uh board members, we will now proceed with the potential board reports to be considered at the February 26
2026 regular meeting. After each item is presented, board members will have the opportunity to ask their questions and make comments before proceeding to the next item on the agenda. Board members, we will begin with the following education items number numbers
one and two and begin with number one. adopt academic calendar for 2026 27 school year and 202728 school year. >> Good afternoon board. It's nice to see you again. I'm Nikki Milberg, the chief
of teaching and learning. Uh I am here again um a few weeks later to share the calendars for school year 27 and school year 28. We continue to recommend the same option that was presented at board
a couple of weeks ago. We have provided in a memo to you on January 27th um the feedback. Thank you so much for all of your feedback at the last board meeting. We did take that feedback. We shared we created three options for calendars. You
have access to those as does all of CPS. We shared it in a survey. I think we broke a record for amount of responses in the shortest amount of time pos shortest amount of time. We had over 22,000 people stakeholders respond to
the survey. It was open from um January 21st through January 27th in that short time. Um it was about equal um of students, staff and um parents who responded to the survey.
I can give you the exact numbers if you want. 55% of those respondents preferred option one, the calendar that was presented to you in January. 37% preferred option two, which was to start
a full week earlier, ending before uh winter break, ending semester one before winter break. 8% of respondents preferred option three, which was to start a few days earlier and then also have a shorter Thanksgiving
break. So that is the information that we have. This is a difficult decision. I know there is no perfect calendar. Uh no matter how many times we go back to the drawing board, there will never be a calendar that meets every stakeholder's
preferences. So balancing all of the considerations through the district. We continue to recommend option one. Um we have laid out in the memo some of the considerations and risks that go along with the other two calendars as well. And I would like to just turn over my
time to answer any other questions you may have that might be helpful as you consider this vote. >> I have board member Pope. >> Yeah, just one question. If you could uh if you did or not, I don't know,
separate out the responses of high school parents and high school students because obviously the issue of ending before Christmas is much more germanine to high schools. Yes, our survey did not allow us to be
able to do that. >> Board of Member Rosenfeld, I just want to say thank you for taking our feedback, going back and reserveing it. I've been at a few high schools and even though they're not don't like the outcome, I think across the board it was appreciated that you listened and
responded. So, thank you for taking that time >> and thank you for the feedback and it is very fair feedback. I absolutely understand um and appreciate and you know all three of those calendars have merits and have drawbacks and leave it to you to make the deci the difficult decision.
>> Board member Lopez followed by board member Rivas. >> Thank you. I also want to uh thank you and the team uh for listening to the feedback and also giving the community an opportunity to provide additional information if they hadn't already. um something just as board member pulp
mentioned dividing up with the high school students or high school staff that's what I've been hearing directly from community of the impact and maybe when they're you know parents are um putting their information they might not understand the pros and the cons as to what are some of the drawbacks of not
having the semester end before the winter break and the impact it can have on their students with transcripts as they're enrolling in college classes. Um, thank you. >> Um, I'm just very very appreciative uh
for um the clarity you've provided to constituents. So, I had some parents reach out about the delay and I totally understand folks that are upset about uh not wanting to know what what is it going to look like for when you come back from from uh you know after the summer break. Um, and so I'm really
appreciative that we're moving toward having two school years calendars complete um so that we have clarity for families and that hopefully moving forward um we can have the next two sets of years completed even earlier um so that we have um long-term clarity for
families. Um so uh I just want to say I appreciate you uh for responding directly to constituents uh who reached out uh regarding this. Thank you, Chief Milberg. We'll move on to the next item on the agenda. Item number two, amend the second final
renewal agreement with various vendors to provide out of school time and student health and wellness products and services. Good afternoon. My name is Tashanda Green. I use she her pronouns and I'm the deputy chief for the office of student health and wellness.
>> And good morning. My name is Erikica Robinson. I'm the senior program manager of out of school time and mentoring out of the office of student support and engagement. We are recommending that the board authorize an amendment to the renewed
contract to add 25 new vendors to provide out of school time and student health and wellness products and services. Our vendor pool provides schools with access to specialized highquality
out of school time and health and wellness programs. The original not to exceed amount of $16 million with multiple vendors will not change. The term of the contract will remain from January 1st, 2026 to
December 31st, 2026. The vendors were selected via a competitive RFQ process. There are 97 vendors on the original agreement. Adding 25 vendors will bring
the total to 122. If this supplemental is not approved, schools will not have enough pro partners to provide specialized out of school time and health and wellness programs. These programs provide a wide range of services with the emphasis on
social emotional learning related services such as mentoring, substance abuse prevention, and mental health programs. All which have shown to positively impact student outcomes, including their connectedness to their school communities. The blueprint correct connection and
aligns with the district's whole child model and its priority for connectedness, well-being, and academic excellence through a holistic approach of education services, safety, wellness, and supportive learning communities.
Transparency increases our family's programmatic offering and ensures our partners have access to the information and resources to support their decision- making for our students. This supplemental to the current agreement will ensure equity and providing Chicago public school students with access to
out of school time program thereby enhancing their academic, social, emotional and health and wellness development. Our equity focus is using a dimension of resource equity. We reign. We aim to ensure every Chicago public school student has the opportunity to
participate in high quality out of schooltime programming that supports academic achievement and social emotional well-being and eliminates health barriers to education. Our goal is to support and empower schools to implement a targeted universal approach
that this equity focused approach will ensure that students furthest away from the opportunity have access to program opportunities for them to participate in. The Office of Student Support and Engagement and the Office of Student Health and Wellness collaborated on the view review committee for the second
supplemental RFQ. This renewal did not go to public opinion. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Deputy Green. Oh, I'm sorry. We do have uh questions or comments. U board member Smith, followed by member Rivas.
>> Yes, thank you for that uh presentation. How many of the 97 vendors are required to give metrics for student impact? >> So it is a part of their key performance indicators and we are currently in the process of collecting those information
and can provide that to the board office at a later date. So, the past vendors that have been approved, did they all have uh any data for student impact that we could look at and compare to the vendors that you have now? I mean,
because it's a lot of money. So, when you're asking for that, is there past data that we can look at from vendors that you have on here now to see what the past uh student impact has been? >> Yes, we can p pull that information and
provide it to the board office. I don't currently have it with me. >> Yeah, I just wanted to know if it was available, if it existed. >> Okay, thank you. >> Board member Rivas. >> Thank you, Vice President Bautista. Um, so along the same lines of uh board
member Smith, um, you know, I I brought this up last month with with or maybe two months ago with one of our vendors just we're trying to get information about the success. It's a lot of money. Is this being is has the program been successful? Um, and so I'd love to to
see that the same uh information that'll get provided to uh board member Smith uh regarding uh just outcomes for these programs. My question is more on the line of like you know we have 122 vendors here. Um how does a school go about choosing a vendor and then um I'm
assuming that not all cost the same. What does that look like in terms of how does a program decide how much money they're going to charge a particular school? And this um I bring this up because in school visits I'm hearing from principles related to you know our budgets are tight and I didn't have as
much money this year for out of school time programming compared to previous years because I decided to you know supplement a halftime counseling position uh as we heard you know with uh the hogan example. So um I'm just wondering what how does how do we determine the cost? How do the vendors
determine the cost that they're charging the school? Um, and then how do the schools determine what vendors are using? >> Good afternoon, board member Rias Patricia Hernandez, chief procurement officer. So, I'll assist my colleagues here. So, for this particular contract,
when we go out to market, we do ask for rates and vendors have different uh pricing uh exhibits depending on the services they provide. Some can be hourly rates, some can be based on the number of sessions they do per week or the number of students that they serve.
So we do have con prices are locked in part of their contract and procurement helps in negotiating those costs. My understanding is schools have the options to select a vendor from the pool depending on what their needs are. Whether it's just supervising recess or
having more structured programs after school based on their um budget, you know, availability and what they can afford or what they want to provide their students. >> Um and then so from that though, if I was a principal and I have a list of 122
vendors, how am I how am I choosing a vendor? Again, some of them are uh have special niches of what they provide. So, based on what they want to do, they the list it's on our marketplace. We'll say what they provide. >> Um, and we do have, like I said, prices are locked in, but they also have the
option to negotiate those costs as well. So, if I'm going to spend X dollars with you, can you give me a better price? >> And then, just for everybody's awareness, when we renew these contracts, my team, we ask for a reduction from all our vendors. We usually start at like a 10% target. Some
of them will comply, some can't. So, they'll give us a lower reduction, but our our plan is to remain status quo with pricing. If not, um the the optimum will be for us to reduce costs, right, for future so then the principles and the schools can stretch those dollars
and get more services for the smaller uh budget that they have. >> Thank you very much, >> Board Member Lopez. >> Thank you. Looks like the mixture of vendors is a mixture of not forprofit and also forprofit. Am I looking at that
information correctly? Yes. Okay. Thank you. And with the 25 new vendors, are they citywide or are they specific to certain areas of the city? >> They can be citywide. >> Okay. Just want to make sure that our schools and students have access to, you
know, access to all these programs and that meets the needs of each community. Thank you. remember good terrace. >> So, quick question. If I'm correct though, of the vendors that are on that list, not all of them currently are
providing a service, right? They're on the list. If I'm the principal and I need something, I could go on that list and acquire somebody, right? So, that's correct. >> All right. Then secondly is what is there a coordination uh between the city and us because the
city also does out of school time grants that they administer. So just wondering if there is um as sister agencies if we're doing some cross collaboration to make sure that a
we are serving more children right and that a school in Yenya's district I'm picking on her today um in her district doesn't get two grants one from the city and one from CPS at the same time >> we are actually in the process of
working with our sister agency to further um to further create transparency about that process. So >> I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Remember Rosenfeld? >> Yes. So this is the part that confused me. So school after school that I go to,
they tell me that they did not get enough out of school time funding. That's what was cut. Kids can't stay there and they need to stay there. It's hard on parents. So the confusing thing is we're adding more vendors yet out of schooltime dollars are being
cut. So I guess my question is how do you know we needed more? Why did we need more? you know, is there something that we could look and say like vendor number 62 is ne for example um they're never being so I feel like we need to sort of
condense the it's too much and again as out of school time is being cut why do we keep adding it feels like subtracting would be the way to go or are all of these vendors maxed out and then what was the rigor of the process to become a vendor because again like other board
members said it is a a lot of money and it it there's something confusing about it for me. >> Good morning. I'll try to answer a portion of your question. Um so for the vendors that have been selected, not all
of them provide out of school time, which is why OSHW has partnered with OST. Some of these vendors actually provide instruction during the school day to help assist with our health education needs. And so not every vendor is for out of school time, but the
selection of vendors, there are just sometimes we'll have schools that are reach out that are wanting a specific service that is not provided by the vendors that are currently within the pool. And that kind of was a trigger to okay, let's take another look at this just to make sure we're providing the
services that the schools are desiring to have in OST along with those services that are required by law that happen during the school day. I'm hope before we vote or before the next meeting, could we get a list of out of school? Can we can we like
differentiate separate? Yeah, we're actually Yes, we we >> so we can see exactly how many out of school time vendors there actually are. >> Would it help if you had like how many there are and what services they provide? >> I guess you kind of break down being Yeah. Yeah. Just a little deeper dive
into this list of 122. Thank you. >> Wonderful. And I'll let uh our procurement partner speak to the rigor of the selection process. >> Um so um and I believe in in your packet we we've been including the original recommendation memos when we add vendors
which should list the evaluation criteria. So these vendors had to go through the same hurdles as the original um vendors that were pre-qualified. Uh for us, you know, with our spending cap and bidding thresholds, if a school has a need or identifies a vendor that can
um meet a specific need, we can't just give them a contract, right? So, we have to go back out to market market. So, we open the solicitation to give other vendors an opportunity to get in the pool. Um you know, all our contracts there is no guarantee of work. It's all based on budget appropriations. So, if
the school has the funds, you know, then they have the options to use those vendors. So our job is to make sure that we have those vendors under contract for the schools to be able to use. Um some of our schools go have grant funds that they can use towards you know these types of services. Um so sometimes when
we do these supplementals that that's the reason behind it to try to open it up to other uh vendors to be able to you know to apply and provide services to schools. And chief, can you also um mention there's like um an amount of 16
million for the for this request, but then it also says that no funding is requested at this time. So, we're um just including more vendors at this point. >> Exactly. So, we're not asking for additional uh increase in the not to exceed amount. The original amount approved was $16 million. We're just
asking adding more vendors to be able to uh provide additional options to our schools. Thank you so much for all the information and those are all the questions. Uh I am going to ask um our board members um to be concise moving forward. We're a little bit behind
schedule. Board members will continue with the health and wellness item number three. Amend the automated external defibrillator policy. >> Thank you. You guys get a double dose of me today. Uh again, I'm Tashanda Green, the deputy chief for the Office of
Student Health and Wellness. Uh I'm coming before you today to recommend that the board approve and amend the policy for automated external defibrillators. I came a couple months ago to request that it go out for public comment. And so now that that uh process
has closed, I am back again. In 2024, Governor Pritsker signed House Bill 5394, which requires school districts starting in 2025 to implement a cardiac emergency
response plan and provide information on handsonly CPR as well as how to use AEDs to all schools and school staff. OSHW amended the AAD policy to reflect
these changes and requirements aligning CPS practices with the law. We have updated the policy to include the requirement of CPR and AED certification for all athletic coaches and athletic
directors. and we have disseminated information and resources on handsonly CPR and the use of AEDs districtwide. We have finalized the cardiac emergency response plan in consultation with our
nurse leaders lures and their cardiologists as well as project atom. This change in policy will have some financial implications as it now requires additional staff and personnel
to be certified in CPR and AED use. If this amendment is not approved, the district will not be in compliance with the law. This amendment provides for direct resource equity and fair policies and
systems by increasing the knowledge of life-saving methods across the district, ensuring consistent responses to cardiac emergencies, and creating safer school environments for all students.
OSHW worked closely with our nursing leadership team, our community-based partners, Luris, and Project ADOM. all of which are aligned with the state laws and best practices. OSHW is also actively working to add uh
to identify additional vendors that provide CPR and AD certification and training uh to increase our lowcost or no cost um opportunities across the district. Two public comments were received
praising the policy and prompting consideration of CPR education for students, central office employees, and board members. The legislation and overall policy require that all CPS employees receive
information on the use of CPR AED and this information will be sent to all staff inclusive of inclusive of board members annually and OSHW will be meeting with the teaching and learning department to
discuss the possibility of integrating the recommendation for CPR education for students into their upcoming healthy education policy. We are connected to our vision within CPS in connectedness and well-being,
academic progress, and financial stability. And I will take any questions. >> Wallace, good morning. Uh, love your hair by the way. I just wanted to know with the physical training, I understand we're sending information. With the
physical training, I just learned, and forgive the the number, it's like 20% less likely for women patients to have CPR performed on them because people uh typically train with uh male dummies, and so once they get to a woman who has breast, they don't know where to place
their hands. Is that something that we're looking into as well to have both male and female dummies for training? >> So, no, it's okay. That was a loaded question. Um, so the equipment that is provided, I'm not sure
if it has the difference in anatomical uh structure, but we can look for that. However, the most important component when you're learning CPR is the appropriate placement of the hands on the sternum, >> right? And so if you emphasize that in training, you can find the sternum even
with breasts. Uh, and so if that's emphasized in training, sometimes the anatomically correct uh, dummy that you utilize may or may not make a difference. Okay. Um, but we can definitely look to see if that's offered. >> That was just something I happen to see and I knew you would be here so I
thought I would ask. Also, are we doing both adult and child size? >> Yes. >> Wonderful. >> And that's required. So whenever you go to any type of AD or CPR certification and or training, you have to learn kind of from infancy all the way to
adulthood. I say from the cradle to the grave. And so you have to learn all processes for all ages and all sizes. >> Thank you uh Deputy Green. We can move on to the next item agenda. >> Thank you
>> board members. We will we will continue with the following talent items. numbers four and five and the subject matter expert will present on those two items. Four, amend drug and alcohol-f free workplace policy. Five, authorize the
public comment period for the VESA policy. >> Carla Kirkling needs no introduction at this point. She's our wonderful executive director of uh health and benefits and and leads our employee wellness strategy that we're really proud of. Go ahead, Carla. Thanks. >> Thank you.
>> Good afternoon, board members. Good to see you again. Um I was here in December and presented this policy for public comment. Um today the talent office is recommending that the board authorized the amended drug and alcohol-free workplace policy. This amendment was
required as part of the bianial uh policy review of the board bylaws 1-2. The revised policy does introduce three key updates. Uh first, we've included updated language and practices to adopt a progressive discipline approach. Um
aligning with recent legal developments and best practices to relevant state and case laws. Over the past couple of years, a handful of employees have tested positive for low blood alcohol concentration like back levels. Uh for
example, a 0.02 following a reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test while on duty. And I just want to emphasize that is under a reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test. Um previously any positive test
including very low back levels led to automatic termination. The new policy follows a progressive discipline framework that allows graduated consequences ranging from counseling, written warnings, suspension, and up to
termination. Um, with the exception of CDL drivers and employees under 21 where termination still remains required. Um and that's in accordance with the state law and relevant case laws um and the federal uh standards uh for those
individuals. Um so we in partnership with the law department we um created a progressive discipline framework um that shifted away from a zero tolerance policy. So, a couple of key drivers behind the change is the evolving legal
landscape, particularly around marijuana. With recreational use legal in Illinois, um we're shifting from automatic termination based on test results to evaluating actual impairment in the workplace. Those uh positive marijuana tests may
detect past and not present or current use. So decisions will now rely on observable behavior impairments and other contexts related to the incident. Um relevant state and case law with respect to lower back levels u for
alcohol consumption has really just ensured that anyone that has a positive test under the legal limit um also has shown that it has provided some impairment in the workplace. And this has been um you know there's been
challenges in the courts for this and basically um all those cases have turned out to not be in favor of the employer. So that's one of the main reasons why we moved towards the progressive discipline. And speaking of this board member Gutierrez you asked me last time
around the other safety sensitive positions and being able to add those positions to that auto automatic termination clause. And so um in just conducting our thorough research, we're not able to move in that direction for some of those other safety sensitive positions only because there are no
comparable federal standards for those and so that would be a deviation uh to our process and could increase our legal exposure. However, in the instance where we do have an accident or incident on site, especially where someone's hurt,
regardless of their role, if through that investigation, we determine that drugs and alcohol played a key role in the impairment that caused the accident, any role would be subject for termination. So, I just want to clarify that.
Um the second uh update that we've included was we added new language creating a clear self-disclosure pathway for employees who voluntarily disclose substance use concerns. Um this addition reinforces our uh responsibility under
the Americans with Disabilities Act and affirms that employees seeking help will be treated with dignity, confidentiality, and access to reasonable accommodations or support resources. This helps to ensure that individuals who are proactively addressing a health condition are
protected and supported rather than penalized. Um in addition to this um you know we do have our EAP service which offers uh a lot of support for substance use and I just recently um contracted with a point solution vendor called
Pelago and they offer comp it's a digital 24-hour um platform that offers um assistance and support to treat individuals that may be dealing with any sort of substance use um concerns. So, we do
have that service. It's free for our employees. Um, we just started promoting it. It took effect on January 1st of this year and so we're already seeing some enrollment and we're really excited about that additional support for employees. Um, the third and final change outlines
standardized search and seizure procedures connected to the reasonable suspicion process. Um it will be conducted in partnership with our safety and security team and these procedures establish consistent legal compliance steps for conducting searches, securing
evidence and ensuring due process and this strengthens fairness, transparency and risk mitigation across the organization. And so together, these amendments balance our employee support with organizational safety. And the policy is now now more clearly communicates our
expectation for a safe work environment while also promoting a culture where employees feel secure seeking assistance. Um, this amendment aligns to the design the design and fair policy systems dimension of the CPS equity framework by shifting from a punitive
zero tolerance model to a more just and proportionate disciplinary approach. The new framework supports progressive discipline and recognizes that rigid rigid policies can disproportionately affect employees particularly those from vulnerable or historically marginalized
groups without improving safety or accountability outcomes. is connected to our connectedness and well-being vision. Um, it aligns with the priority to create robust support systems and align resources to meet
staff's diverse needs, ensuring a safe and supportive school school community, excuse me. Um, it also promotes fairness, consistency, and compliance while recognizing the importance of employee well-being as a foundation for
a thriving educational environment. And we did have stakeholder feedback. There were zero comments made to the public comment um posted on the board's website. However, I did do a stakeholder survey
to our principles and people managers, central office and network managers. And of that, we did receive about 69 responses in total. Um, the majority of the feedback was in favor of the changes. There were a few folks that
felt like we should stay to a zero tolerance policy considering we're in an educational school system. However, I just explained for legal reasons why we're unable to um maintain that position. So, that concludes my presentation. Let
me know if you have any questions. >> None at the time. Thank you so much for your presentation. >> Thank you. I'm sticking around. You have one more. >> Go for it. Uh the second one is um Oh,
do you want to present? I'm sorry. The second one. Just go ahead. Go for it. Okay. Um the second one is um the town office is asking to authorize for public comment to amend the victim's economic security and safety act which is called
VESA in short um to include new protections from retaliation when using employerissued equipment to document domestic sexual or gender-based violence. Um, they ensure employees retain access
to relevant recordings while preserving our right and our ability to comply with legal requirements and take action for leg legitimate unrelated reasons. And this was uh a state legislative change that was issued um effective January 1
of 2026 where it strengthens the VESA protections to ensure that employees can safely document incidents of domestic sexual or gender-based violence without fear of retaliation or job loss when
using those employerissued devices. The change clarifies that employers may not discipline, deny employment, or restrict access to devices or recordings solely because the employee documented these events affecting themselves or
their families on CPS devices. At the same time, the policy preverse prever preserves our rights to comply with legal obligations, whether that's investigations or subpoenas or any other legal proceedings, and to take action
for legitimate unrelated performance or conduct reasons. So overall, the product the updates close gaps in existing protections and support survivor safety and evidence preservation and reduce employer risk through clearer legally
balanced guidance. Um if this is not approved, we would not be in compliance with state law. And I at this time I don't have any um community concerns or perspectives until after we receive public comment. Um in terms of
implementation because this already took effect on January 1, we're obviously ready to go and to conform with the law if something were to happen now um from the time you approve this. And so we've already started to put uh some folks on
notice internally, whether that's our um IT department um as well as our law department. And so we'll be working to communicate this to our school leaders and people managers so they're aware of the change in law and to provide
appropriate guidance in case any of their staff members um you know approach them with a situation like this and they can provide the proper guidance. Um, we'll also send a broad communication out to all employees making them aware of this change and also making them
aware of the public comment period so they can feel free to add feedback um as as necessary. Um this uh strengthens our vest the the the equity focus here um is a dimension of the fair policies and
systems where they address undue burden on employees who are survivors of violence and it's also connected to our connectedness and well-being um priority. Um it directly reinforces our priority
to ensure a safe and supportive school community. And so by protecting staff who are survivors of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence, the policy affirms their safety and well-being and assure a secure and supported staff is better equipped to create the robust
support systems and safe environment that's critical that are critical for meeting our students diverse needs. And that concludes my presentation. Any questions? >> Seeing none, thank you so much for your presentation.
>> Thank you. Floyd A >> board members we will continue with the following procurement items number six and seven and the subject matter expert will present on those two items six amendment policy seven amend indeentness
policy >> thank you good afternoon again um Patricia Ernnandez chief procurement officer and I'm here to present two procurement policies that we brought before you back in December um to pose for public comment. So I'm back here
with you today to request the authorization to approve the amendments to these two policies. So the first one is uh the department policy. Our department policy was last revised in 2019. The purpose of this policy is to outline the circumstances and procedures
used for the department of vendors and individuals. uh debarment is a remedial measure designed to protect the integrity of the board's procurement practices and the public's confidence in the board's fiscal responsibility. It is not intended to be punitive. This policy
protects the board from engaging with dishonest and unethical or otherwise irresponsible individuals. Uh this policy has a reciprocal dearment provision meaning that we debar vendors or individuals that have been debarred by other sister governmental agencies.
Uh we cleaned up some of the language in the uh department policy and updated some of the staff titles referenced in the policy. We posted this policy from December 19th, 2025 through January 19th of 2026. We did not receive any public
comments on this policy. If the policy is not approved, the amendment is not approved. I'm sorry. The policy will not reflect current district practices and will include outdated language regarding equity focus. The policy's transparency
and due process through a clear appeals process ensures that the district's commitment to protect the public's interest is balanced with a fair equitable process for vendors. Um if it's okay with you, I can read the uh the
presentation slide for the indebtedness policy. So for the indebtedness policy, we are asking uh your authorization in approving the amendment. This policy ensures the employees and those who do business with CPS are compliant with financial obligations such as parking
violations, child support, and ensures we are compliant with the city of Chicago municipal code. This municipal code has not been updated since 1996. This policy provides a mechanism to CPS to be able to enforce compliance. The
policy is being revised to align with actual actual current practices. This policy has two parts to it. The one part pertains to CPS employees which is owned by the talent office and the second part pertains to vendors that do business
with CPS which is owned by my office. We have updated the policy to reflect actual practices of the district and updated titles of CPS staff mentioned in the policy. The policy was posted as well from uh for public comment from December 19th through January 19th of
this year and we did not receive any public comments. If this policy is not approved, the policy will not reflect current district practices and will include outdated language. Equity focus. Equity focus. Uh section three of this policy is a requirement per the city of
Chicago municipal code um that um we incur an 8% penalty and bid prices for vendors who are delinquent with this policy. We acknowledge that this may um be a barrier to small minority and womenowned businesses. But without changes to the municipal uh code, we are
unable to make changes to that specific requirement at this time. Uh that concludes my presentation and I will take any questions. >> Seeing none, thank you. Thank you very much. Okay, this concludes uh the first portion of the board reports on the
public agenda. We will now move into a short recess. Board member Deberry, do you have a motion? M1. >> I move that the board take a 30 minute recess. >> Is there a second? >> I second the motion. >> Thank you. I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano. >> Yes. >> Member Smith.
>> I. >> Member Lopez. >> I. >> Member Bole. >> Yes. >> Member Wallace. >> I. Member Kuster. >> I. >> Member Pope. >> Yes. >> Member Rosenfeld. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. >> Yes. >> Member Rio Sierra. >> I. Member Bannon. >> Hi.
>> Member Gutierrez. >> Hi. >> Member Bicks. >> Yes. >> Member Thodicura. >> Yes. >> Member Blae. >> I. >> Member Zachor. >> Yes. >> Member Deberry. >> I. >> 17 I zero nays. This motion is adopted by the board. This meeting will now go
into a 30 minute recess. The meeting of the board of education is reconvened. Board members will now proceed with the second group of potential board reports to be considered at the February 26, 2026 regular meeting. After each item is presented, board members will have the
opportunity to ask their questions, make comments before proceeding to the next agenda item. >> Board members, we will continue with the following finance item number eight. Authorize a second final renewal agreement with Baker Tilly US LLP.
Um, good afternoon board members, CEO, Dr. Keane. Um, my name is Rolando Hernandez. I'm the assistant deputy controller in the office of finance. Um the office of finance is recommending board to approve the second renewal agreement with Baker Tilly LLP to
provide auditing service to the finance department. Baker Tilly will report on internal controls over financial reporting and on compliance and all matters based in audit and this is this is uh with um occurrence with the government
accounting standards. In addition, they will issue audit financial statements within the time frame that meets management expectations. The amount of the agreement will be 832,000 for a year. Um, this agreement will
start April 1st, 2026 and will end March 31st, 2027. The vendor was selected via um RFP process meeting the goals for MBE and WBE participation. The current numbers
are 33% MBE and 7.8 WBE. Baker Tilly LLP is a large CPS firm with headquarters in Chicago. In addition, they have extensive experience in governmental accounting for government institutions. We have been using them
since since 2017 and we didn't have any issues with them. Um the increase in price from last year is 3%. Basically the cost of living uh we feel it's a competitive price. Um we keep in mind that the city pay for the audit around
3.2 million to eny um implication if the agreement is not approved. Veil US um US LLP would not be able to provide annual independent audit service to the board. Financial statement audit and single audit of the
Chicago public schools for FY26 will not be able to be performed as required by the Illino Illinois school code section 34-28-9. Equity focus in alignment with the CPS equity frameworks fair policy and systems. The work of the audit connects
to the annual audit which provides compliance with the Illinois state status and ESB requirements and also supports reconciliation of all annually budgeted revenues and expenditures of the district and school programs that occur in every year's fiscal cycle. The
KPIs the key performance indicators the dependent audit is required by the statute and will be add credibility to the reported financial position and performance of our school district and also will provide assurance that the management has presented financial statements that are free for material
error connection to vision equitable equitable funding model to maintain financial resources. So that concludes my presentation. You have any questions? Thank you so much. Thank you >> board members. We will continue with the
following information and technology items numbers nine and 10 and begin with item nine. Authorize the third final renewal agreement with AT&T Enterprises LLC. >> Good afternoon. Uh my name is Katie Zeleleski and I'm the IT telecommunications director. Um we are
asking the board to approve the third and final renewal of our AT&T um primary contract which covers internet services, data and voice voice and data circuits and telecommunication services some of which are -ate eligible.
Program is a federal program run through the FCC. It's a grant program and we as CPS are um eligible for up to 90% of the services that are eligible for the program. The services under this contract that are eligible for the
program are our internet access and our data connections. Um, with this with this renewal, AT&T will continue to provide our internet and data circuits, um, WAN transport, connectivity, voice
services such as long distance, E911, um, transmission, the nerdy transmission services, things like that. Um, again, the internet access and our WAN data circuits are eligible for the - program.
Um, our proposed spend over the 2-year renewal is $17.4 million. 37% of that is eligible for the -ate program. Um, the final renewal begins July 1st, 2026 and
would end June 30th, 2028. Um, AT&T was selected through the RFP process. And again, this is our final renewal. We will be going out for RFP in the future, you know, probably early 2028. Uh AT&T has been a solid partner with
us. They have consistently um met with us, made sure that our rates are low. Even during these days of crazy, crazy tariffs going on. So, if you listen to the news, you hear about tariff rates and lines costing $3,000 a month. AT&T has been very cooperative
with us to keep our rates low as humanly possible. Um AT&T has been a solid partner for us. Um if we do not get this renewal approved, we will not have internet connectivity.
We will not have voice and data services which would severely impact not only our schools, the education of our children, but also day-to-day business operations of of CPS as a whole. Uh the vision connection for this renewal is um it is
equity and connectivity connectivity uh and the well-being because if you don't have connectivity and connectives out to the world you don't have anything and we make sure that every school is has the same services if you're from the north
side, southside, east side or west side. The equity focus once again is um the development and con continuity of a robust voice and data network for our schools. Do we have any questions?
>> Yes, I have a question. Uh but I will see to member Lopez first. >> Thank you, board president. Can you talk a little bit about the privacy set in place with AT&T given that they do have a large contract with Homeland Security and also they do services with ICE and other federal
agents >> to ensure that they are not getting any of our data, phone numbers or any private information with federal government? >> No, we set up within our contract that you know any of the phone numbers are are ours. Even though they are leased,
they are ours. um they're they're not shared with anybody else, things like that. In terms of data connectivity and security um we use our robust security um protocols that we do for everything and AT&T complies with that. >> Okay. Thank you. I just want to make
sure that our information especially as pertains to the student information um that that is kept safe and no whether it be federal government or any other level government that doesn't try to get that data through third party. Thank you. member Paul.
>> Actually speaking on the same topic that uh board member Lopez just addressed. Uh we have read and there have been calls for boycots of AT&T because of its relationship with ICE and Homeland Security and we know what a threat these
organizations have posed to our students and families in our schools. I understand that we're in the middle of a renewal cycle and that it would not be easy to change providers at this point, but perhaps there would be a way that we
as CPS or as the board could share our concerns with them, maybe in a letter to the president or something like that about this issue and about making sure that there are strong guard rails in place. We would be happy to bring that up with
with our account executives at AT&T. >> Thank you so much, >> Member Bennett. >> Um, are there any is AT&T taking any steps to increase their uh use of uh womenowned businesses because they're not hitting the goal right now?
It it's a little bit difficult. Um there they do indirect participation because a lot of a lot of the the services that they provide are either you know pointto-point circuits hard or circuits services like that. They do try
through indirect um things like making sure that they are participating and bringing in some of their women technicians, womenowned company with technicians when they're um out servicing and managing. Um we also can bring that up with them to increase that
portion of their MBE and WB. >> Thank you. I think relatedly uh I'm also interested in uh internship and exposure opportunities that they could create for our students. So as you talk to account executives, please share
our interest in expanding our role beyond just rate cuts but creating opportunities for our students. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Item 10, amend information security policy.
>> Uh, good afternoon, uh, President Harden, board members and, uh, CEO, Dr. King. Uh, my name is Ed Wagner, and I'm the acting chief information officer for, uh, from information and technology services. We recommend, uh, that the
board authorize the amendment of the information security policy. Um the policy was last updated in 2019 and uh needed revision to reflect uh updated personnel changes within IT and to ensure alignment with the latest
industry standards of cyber security frameworks. Um the the IT information security team has expanded to include an executive director role um which was not referenced in the original policy. Um so
uh we want to make sure that the uh relevant in information security staff uh uh is is identified in the policy uh to uh implement guidance to protect uh CPS systems and data. Um and uh an
additional design is is is included in the new language uh in the event of vacancies. That way um there's always an individual who could uh provide the necessary oversight to ensure CPS is protected against emerging cyber
security threats and risks. The second change made is to include additional industry standard cyber security frameworks. Alignment with these frameworks is necessary to ensure we have appropriate standards, requirements, procedures, and control
measures in place to secure our systems, to accommodate new SE technologies such as AI, to ensure legal compliance, and to align with cyber liability insurance expectations. This will help CPS avoid financial and
legal implications pertaining to protecting staff, students, and their families from data breaches. To give a little bit more context, these standards are meant to ensure we are addressing information security controls like defining our password
requirements, ensuring we are able to back up and restore our systems appropriately and our handling personally identifiable information and student data in appropriate ways. engagement with relevant stakeholders
included equity, the equity office, office of student health and wellness, law, family and community engagement. Um, additionally, additionally, it solicited input from uh principal advisory council. Um, and we also compared our policy with with uh uh
similar polies policies from several of the largest uh school districts in the nation to ensure that we weren't missing anything. Um during the public comment phase, no comments were received. So no additional uh changes to the policy were
made. Um from a community perspective, um uh uh updating the information security policy to include the latest frameworks is a good thing since it protects the district from potential risks that are not covered by the outdated frameworks. An example of this
is we are including a policy uh including a framework that covers uh artificial intelligence security that is not referenced in the previous policy. Uh the connection to the vision is uh this amendment supports the the district's commitment to each staff
members and students connectedness and well-being by ensuring that we are appropriately protecting their data and providing a safe and secure digital environment. Um thanks for your time. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have at this point.
>> No questions at this time. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Board members will continue with the following transportation item number 11. Amend the first second final renewal agreement with various vendors for student transportation services.
Good afternoon, President Harton, Vice President Balsista, board members, and CEO King. My name is Kimberly Jones, and I'm the executive director of student transportation. I would like to introduce uh the fleet supervisor of student transportation, Stephanie Austin, to share out how we intend to
reduce the carbon footprint here in the district. Good afternoon, President Harton, Vice President Batisa, and interim CEO, Dr. King. My name is Stephanie Alustin. As Director Executive Jones stated, I am
the fleet supervisor with the Department of Transportation. Today, we're recommending that the board amend the school bus service contract to include the leasing of electric yellow school buses that we procured by the district.
In 2023, CPS was awarded the EPA clean bus grant. This is a milestone in the district history as we have never owned any yellow school buses by the district. This grant would allow CPS to purchase
50 yellow school buses. The school buses would be used to serve underserved communities where students are impacted by climate change and poor air quality. Not approving this amendment could create a significant unbudgeted
liability as we were as we would be required to refund all grant funds. If we prioritize EV buses in underserved communities, we ensure the students breathe clean air, reduce health related absences as we continue to integrate
zero emission buses into our citywide network, and create a healthy, more sustainable future for our students. Not only would the district have a chance to advance the blueprint initiative to reduce our carbon footprint, but with this established
daily administrative fee, it will also reduce the district cost up to $962,000 annually. Thank you for your time. If we have any questions. >> Oh, it's outstanding. One question.
>> Yes. Do you have a sense of how many students that translates to the 50 buses? >> So, we actually get that information as we start the um school year when the buses are actually in service and then we start the um
the routing process at that time and then we'll have a better understanding of which communities will actually have more buses in it and um how many students it would actually serve. >> Thank you. Member Blaze. >> Hi, thank you so much. um for your
presentation and I think I can speak for all the board members to say how excited we are for to have our own fleet of buses. Um are there any plans to bring staff in house or we are we um using the bus companies just for staffing?
>> So we're actually using the bus company to lease the buses and they will actually staff the drivers as well as any other um staffing members. Um CPS may actually utilize our CPS bus aids also. >> Okay. So
the buses, we don't own the buses. We get to lease them. >> No, we actually own the buses the first time. Yes. >> Lease it to the companies >> and we will lease them to the vendors, the uh five vendors right now that we currently have. >> And so then they will just charge us for the staff.
>> No, actually what what we're doing with this? Yeah, >> we are we have >> Go slow with me. I'm sorry. No problem. We have an admin fee and they actually are going to actually reduce the amount that they bill us and that's how we're actually going to bring money back into the district.
>> Got it. And so for field trips and so forth, these buses will be available for all all of the bus >> after they after they complete the routes. >> Okay. Okay. That's great. Thank you so much. >> No problem. >> Thank you for your work and your presentation.
>> Thank you. Board members, we will continue with the following facilities items numbers 12 and 13 and the subject matter expert will present on those two items. 12. Amend the first renewal agreement with Jones Lang Lel America's Inc. 13.
Authorize a second final renewal agreement with Jones Langel Americas Inc. >> Good afternoon board members, Vice President Bautista, uh board president Harden, and interim CEO Dr. King. Uh my name is Caleb Rayberg. I'm the director
of facilities management operations. We recommend the board to authorize the second amendment to the first renewal for the facility management and building engineer contract with Jones Lane. This amendment is increasing the not to exceed authority by a total of 49,212,390
from um the original not to exceed of $250,353 and $350,610 to um $299,566,000. At the time of the first renewal, the new collective bargaining agreement
between local 399 and JLL was not completed. It was still in negotiations. Um, it was advised to keep the not to exceed to a known amount until we later knew the actual costs of that new CBA. Um,
so we're here now to increase the authority now knowing the actual cost. Under this first renewal, JL has exceeded the aspirational participation goals of 30% minority business enterprise and 7% women business enterprise with actuals
at 38.7% and 10.84%. Uh this agreement is tied to the 21st century learning environment portion of the strategic plan. They ensure our buildings are maintained daily um through engineering and the scheduling of work through our maintenance
contracts. This contract is tied to resource equity by prior prioritizing and allocating uh people and time to align with the levels of need for each facility. If this amendment is not approved, we will not be able to pay for engineers and building managers through the end of the school year, which will cause major
disruptions to academics and other programming. Member Blaze Hey there. Um, thank you for your presentation. It's after lunch. I'm I might fall
asleep during this conversation, but it doesn't mean I don't care what we're talking about here. Um, my question is, okay, so can we talk about the um MBE, WBE, the 30% MBE? How do we get to that number?
So JL actually subcontracts to um an MBE engineering firm for part of the labor for some of the engineers come from an MBE firm. Some of them come from a WB firm. >> So JL is like this parent organization. They subcontract to people who
subcontract out to engineers. >> So JLL um is our prime vendor. They do provide some of the engineers themselves as direct JLL employees and then they use MZI, RJB and Eco Alpha to uh provide
some of the other engineers to reach these goals. >> Okay. And which one of those is MBE? Do you know? >> Hello. >> Hi. >> How are you? >> Hi everybody. Yeah, they're all MBEEs
and then they have a small set of WBEs. So, they're achieving we're almost at 50%. >> All of the subcontractors are MBEs. >> The three majority of the MBEEs where we're reading reaching the 37.8.
>> They're all minorityowned certified firms. >> Okay. And and so if we've got this parent company that's subcontracting out to other folks who's hiring people, >> why don't we just h have those people on
staff? >> Hi, how are you? >> Good. >> Ivan Hansen, chief facilities officer. Um so if I understand you correct, your your question is why aren't they CPS employees? >> Exactly. Um, so right now, uh, CPS does
not have a current agreement with the 399, uh, union. >> Okay. >> Um, we have had conversations with them. Uh, there's, we're always looking at opportunities to insource as we've done with our custodial piece. Y, >> um, but just at this point right now to make that shift,
>> it's not a a feasible action at this point, but we are looking into it of what that looks like and and kind of that runway to do to do that. >> Okay. I haven't like are you making a report or something? When when would we figure out how much sense this makes?
Because we're about to Okay. Was it is it 328 million million dollar? >> Correct. >> Right. So, >> yes. And yes, there here's >> there is a potential savings. >> Yep. It has to be.
>> But yes, but there is but there still is the labor cost. So, we're working through that. I would say um probably early this summer we will come back to you guys with what a a plan is working with our budget office of certain things that we're looking at potentially uh
insourcing. >> Okay. So a plan would come maybe in June but if we we're supposed to okay the 328 million in two weeks and that takes us through a couple of more years. we have the the opportunity but there is a there
is that time of bringing it bringing it in house so there's a it's not it doesn't happen overnight >> 100% >> let me let me chime in >> yes please remember >> thank you chief >> there are trade-offs to this >> y >> um the just just for a little bit of
context right now all of these employees they may live outside of the city of Chicago and bringing them in-house there >> there are rules that they have to live within the city of Chicago. That's just one of many things that we need to consider. >> Yeah. >> So, it's not as easy as it sounds. We can run the analysis for you because
these are things that we've looked at for a couple of years. >> Yeah. >> And when we looked at the custodial piece, this was one element that was also explored as well. Uh but we're going to need to do more of a deeper dive with you to see what the tradeoffs will be in regards to that. So what
we're asking now is to approve this as is to move forward so we can continue to have services to support the schools because we know each and every day that we always have repairs and the deferred maintenance continues to grow. And so this group of folks make sure our buildings continue to run to make sure
we got the heat and make sure we got cooling systems uh and our water working correctly and all those great things that we need uh while we explore this and come back to the board to to give some options on what we can consider. Listen, Chief Mayfield, you are doing an
excellent job. We just met at D'Vorak and I got to see Chief Mayfield in action. Um, uh, keeping me calm, keeping the principal calm, keeping his staff calm, and making sure everybody was getting on
board and and headed in the right direction. I certainly don't want to make your life any more difficult, but this is a lot of money and I um we are going to have some sincere budget issues really really soon. Um, and so if
there's places like this, what what CPS what I find that CPS has done in the past and is is cut safe passage workers and cut um uh security and and so forth. And I think we really got to dig into some of
these contracts. And this is a really big contract. So, I'm happy to continue the conversation. I know we're on a time limit now and and like this is, you know, the ninth inning and you need this dough to keep the schools working right
now, but I think we really need to um really think about a a substantive conversation on how we we get to where we need to be in in in this budget season. And this will be one of the things that I'm looking at.
Member >> Lopez I'm wondering if I can um pretty much similar to what was said regarding looking at this given it looks like it's an amendment that runs until June 30th of 2026. Um realistically, how much time
do we have and what's the timeline if we're looking into bringing this inhouse? Uh but also when are we even if it's an extension one year when are we going to be having to vote on this again since this is going to end already in
June of 30 the 30th. >> So I only presented one of the two items. Item 13 is the actual renewal for a 2-year period. It's the final for renewal. >> Thank you. And then the other is um just keep in mind as the analysis is ran I
know I've been hearing this regarding some of the engineers that they got to split their time already between multiple buildings and we're looking at cost savings also what does it mean the impact on some of the work in our schools. Um we like it was mentioned we
learned this with the custodians uh suggest some of those items whether moneywise might look like we're saving money but is that going to cause more workload that cannot be kept up in the long term. Thank you
>> member Smith. >> Thank you. I know you said that there could be potential savings. Is there an analysis of what those savings could be? Uh sometimes we we like to make
decisions without knowing if it may even cost more to do inhouse than what we're already doing. Uh is there an analysis of what any potential savings would be? And if there's not, how can we get that?
>> So yes, there is. you know, particularly in this case and and with the unions, as you know, seniority matters. And in this case, you know, if we bring them in house and we talk about the seniority piece, the first stack of folks to go
will be the students, the students are the lowest on a totem pole and they just came here last month and we celebrated how we got some student engineers. And so those are some of the little things that, excuse me, that we're talking about that may be impacted. So, could create negative
impact for students. >> Yes, it will. >> And that's our main duty as fiduciaries of the schools is to create positive impact for students. >> All right. Thank you. And and what would any savings be? Because I I'd rather help students than, you know, worry about the we're spending money to help
students. So, what would any savings be? Uh what was the analysis? Well, part of that savings would be would be the people. We would, you know, but there's an again a tradeoff to the people aspect of it based on the number of people also
based upon um how many people will actually remain on staff in the city of Chicago because some some of the engineers live outside of the city of Chicago and they may not want to come back if we bring it in the house. >> All right. There also may be some
savings in regards to the benefits, but that that's something that we still have to take a deeper dive into uh based on benefits that the >> that the current employer plays versus what we pay. So, it's really just about the people. >> All right. Yeah. I I I want to I I'd
like to see that analysis what you're saying about the impact of students because no matter what, I'm going to be on the students side. Thank you. just for clarification. So, some of the engineers won't be from here. Um, so we'll lose some engineers
and so perhaps the students that are CPS students that are from here will have more opportunities to get job. I mean, like that could happen. >> That could happen. Yeah. Let I think it's better if we talk offline about >> side. Yes, of course. >> Thanks.
>> All right. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> So for item 13, um we are recommending the board authorize the second which is the final renewal with Jones Lane Lasell for facility management and building engineer. Um this is a 2-year renewal
period starting July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2028. the not to exceed authority is 328,870,000. Um, again, we know what the collective bargaining agreement rates are. That CBA also ends June 30th, 2028. So, this is
inclusive of all of the increases between now and the end of that term. Uh, again, this contract provides the engineers, building managers, and they manage the scheduling of work associated with maintenance contracts such as landscaping, pest control, and the other maintenance contracts. uh similar to
that this partnership has resulted in positive things such as uh JL is a big promoter of utilizing the skills of the engineers on staff to complete repairs in-house um and using those skills before looking at external vendors which would come at a higher cost to do the
repairs. um last month, you know, you were able to see the success of the engineer trainee program. That was the first round of engine of the trainees um that were recent graduates that now have a really highpaying union job with zero
school debt. Um and this contract ties to equity through resource equity by prioritizing and allocating people and time to align with the levels of need and opportunity regarding the strategic connection. This supports the 21st century learning environments by maintaining the
buildings daily. If this renewal is not approved, apart from the next engineer trainee program from not moving forward, we also wouldn't have time to transition in house by July 1st. And if there are any questions after
I can take any additional questions. >> Member Bennett. Um, I just want to ask more about key performance indicators. Um, more details on how we know that JL is um accomplishing what we're asking them to
do um to renew this contract. I I'm not saying we shouldn't, but for a $320 million decision, um I not that you have to have it right now, but some more information about, you know, response times, um uh up times and down times on
systems in schools. Uh just details that you're looking at that you can share with us that show that they're actually doing the job. And not to say that they're not, but based on this one pager, it's, you know, impossible for us to provide decent oversight.
>> We'll follow up with more information. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Board members, we we will continue with the following capital items numbers 14 and 15 and subject matter expert will present on those two items. 14. Amend
the renewal of a lease agreement with the Catholic Bishop of Chicago for the continued use of various leased school sites. 15. Amend the agreement with the Little Angel's Family Daycare
um to Inc. and Little Angel's Learning Center 1, Inc. >> I'm sorry. Before we continue, I just want to make sure that we get board member Bannon's request before our next board meeting. Is that possible?
>> Yeah. >> Yes, we will get that uh to you. Um just at one point of that um that you that you don't see on paper is as you noticed we had a bad cold spell in Chicago, right? And any of the JL managed buildings weren't closed, right? So
number one is on that side of things on a day-to-day basis we're continuing to keep the the doors open for the schools on on that side of things that you don't see on paper versus uh the work order stuff that we'll get you though. >> Yeah. No, that's that's a good point. I'll send some specific questions if that'll be helpful just to um uh make it
more clear on what I'm looking for at least. Thank you. >> Good afternoon, Board President Hardin, Dr. King and members of the board. My name is Steven Stoultz, director of real estate with the Department of Capital and Facility Operations. We recommend the board authorize an amendment to the
master lease agreement with the Catholic Bishop of Chicago doing business as arch dascese of Chicago to add five additional school sites to the master lease agreement. CPS currently occupies nine sites that are leased from the arch dascese pursuant to a 2015 master lease
agreement. The board approved the renewal of the agreement at the December 2024 board meeting for a term commencing on July 1st, 2025 and continuing through June 30th of 2035. The amendment is necessary to include five additional school sites into the
master lease agreement between the CPS and arch diocese. The five sites to be added are the five Acero charter school sites that CPS will be taking over management of prior to the 202627 school year and include De LaCassas
located at 1641 West 16th Street. Cisneros located at 2744 West Persian Road, Fuentes located at 2845 West Berry Avenue, Tamayo located at 5135 South California Avenue. and
Santiago located at 2510 West Cortez Street. If this matter is not approved, CPS will not have adequate facilities to provide educational instruction from for these five schools. That concludes my presentation and I'll be happy to answer any questions.
>> Member Rivas. >> Uh thank you, Mr. President. Um I just want to uh thank you uh for your diligent work on this. uh we were very concerned about uh Santiago especially since uh the property had gone up on the market then pulled and then uh the
negotiation. So um thank you so much. I'm really excited that at the end of the this month we'll be able to ensure that all theero families but especially uh my families down by at Santiago that they will have a school there next year. Um and uh also thank you for showing up
to uh our community engagement efforts there uh to talk to families and community regarding that site in particular. >> Happy to help anyone we can. Thank you board member Rivas. >> Member Lopez. >> Thank you. Very similar. Thank you for
helping bringing these five facilities for the lease. Uh the first one is regarding Sis Meadows. If I understand this correctly, the term will be amending that goes up until June 30th of 2035. >> That's correct.
>> We are, you know, as we all know, there's some issues, infrastructure issues with cease. If what does that look like their commitment on with the gym floor situation, the boilers and res helping us resolve those issues? And if the
school community decides that it needs to move out of that building, is it going to cost us money because we are going to be breaking the lease term? >> We are in ongoing discussions regarding the gym floor. We've made it clear, it's our expectation that for Cisneros, they replace the gym floor. We are not going
to pay for any square footage. It's approximately, I think, off the top of my head, 4,800 ft for the gym. that will be excluded from the lease and we will not be paying for any of that space until the time that uh bore that sorry arch diocese replaces the floor. They
they indicated there are some issues with drain tiles and the the site currently floods every time it rains. So they need to rectify that issue first. Regarding termination, the master lease agreement contains a termination provision that allows either party to
terminate by providing notice prior to the end of October, prior to October 31st of any given lease year with a termination to be effective on June 30th, 20 months following that notice deadline. So if it if it were to come that we found a better site with a gym floor, we
could, you know, we can issue the termination notice which would be effective assuming we sign this lease. The soonest it would be effective would be 20 28 per >> just keep in mind that of course our
students and their safety and our staff a priority and whichever whether we own the building or lease the building and as it pertains to Tamayo um it's my understanding pretty much the school when it comes to enrollment they're almost at full capacity um when I attended the meeting it was brought up
to my attention that they were looking into additional maybe leasing some additional um classroom space given that they run out of space. Uh just want to make sure that that is being considered as if they continue and increasing enrollment numbers over at the Mayo that potentially it could be expanded and
include uh my understanding is at least two or three more classrooms that the school might be able to have access to if we add them to the lease. >> We have raised that request with the arch dascese. Um there like you said there are some offices located I think in stairwells or the the bottom of
stairwells. But we are considering that as well and if there's an opportunity to get additional space to make sure everybody has a safe working environment we will um we are continuing those discussions with arch dascese. >> Thank you. >> Thank you member Gutierrez. >> I have a the some of the questions were
answered because uh board member Lopez but what's the deferred maintenance cost of all those buildings? Um, and what have we done in this current negotiation with the dascese to try to get them to
come to the table um to fix some of these things because I think that while we need them, right, because that's where we have schools and we make commitments, the dascese also needs us, right, as part of this relationship. So just trying to figure out what what
we're doing on our end to negotiate with them um to do that. And then the other question is, have we really looked at our portfolio relative to where we're at
within all these locations because I think at some point, right, we're going to have to have that bigger conversation and and and I've heard it over and over today, right, we're going to have some financial issue that we're going to have to look at. and just wondering if if
mapping these particular sites with our own inventory would kind of help that and begin to for us as board members to kind of look at where things are at within those respective communities. Thank you. >> With regard to the deferred maintenance,
we've made it clear to the arch diocese we do not want to move into sites that have ongoing capital needs. So, as was mentioned before, the boiler at Cisneros, we've made it clear, it's our expectation that they will fund the repair replacement of those boilers. Same with regard to the gym floor at
Cisneros and there's an electrical panel issue at Tomio. So, we've made it clear that under the standard lease, master lease agreement we have, we split those costs 50/50, but we are not going to accept, you know, we're not going to accept a site in a condition that requires us to spend money on day one
for capital needs. So, we made that clear. It's an ongoing discussion and we're pressing our point very strongly. >> Uh with regard to the portfolio, I'll let uh Chief Hansen. >> Uh so yes, we're looking at our entire portfolio, right? Um I think we have an opportunity here that we're working with
our officer portfolio to start off on the right foot with these to ensure that in the beginning day one start of school next year, the spaces that are needed for their utilization is is what's ready. Um and we kind of back up from there and continue to look at what's around us and what's in those buildings
um that is needed for day one and that's what we're going to concentrate on getting ready. >> Member Kuster. >> Thank you board president. Um Steve, just to clarify that last question and your answer, does that um does that apply to all of the leases that we have
with the arch dascese? sort of that expectation of them taking on those big capital needs or does it only apply to the um like newly acquired Asero buildings? >> So there's a I want to differentiate here the buildings that we've already
been in and occupying since 2015. We are committed per the terms of the agreement to split those costs 50/50. >> Got it. >> Um for the new sites though, we don't want to be on the hook for 50/50. Anna, >> agreed. Agreed. Okay, perfect. Thank you. That answers my question. Thank
you. Thank you very much. I will move on to the next item. We recommend the board authorize the second amendment to a funding agreement with Little Angel's Family Daycare 2, Inc. to provide funding for the construction of an early learning childhood facility in connection with the provision of early
childhood services. This amendment is necessary to include the educational service provider Little Angel's Learning Center 1, Inc. to the funding agreement and to corre correct a scrivener's error in the name of Little Angel's Family Daycare 2, Inc. The
amendment will also provide additional time for Little Angel's Learning Center 1, Inc. to obtain the necessary licenses to operate the facility. Little Angel's Family 2 Family Daycare 2, Inc. constructed the facility and owns the property where the Early Childhood
Center is located at 6706 South Emerald Avenue. Without u without this amendment, they will not be able to fulfill the obligation to provide early childhood educational services and will not obtain the 2.4 million in construction funding that is being
provided pursuant to this agreement. To be clear, this is uh funding that was approved in 2019 and it the source of the funding is grant funds, so they're not operational dollars. The funding will not be provided until the project is completed and a certificate of occupancy is issued by
the city of Chicago. That concludes my presentation for this item and I'll be happy to answer any questions. >> Zach, >> thank you. Uh thanks so much for the presentation. Um, you know, day or early childhood provision is really important.
Um, and we know there's a big need for it. Um, so I I think I just need some more clarity on this because I looked up Little Angel's Daycare and it looked like it was built already. >> That's correct. So, as mentioned, this is an agreement is from 2019. I believe
they broke ground uh I looked over permit records. They broke ground I think 2022. I'll I'll have to clarify. I could provide those details in writing but the issue is that they were given granted this funding in order to construct a facility for the provision
of services. However, the service provider was not named in that original 2019 agreement. The ser service provider is the one that's actually providing the early childhood services at this location. So for the the
Little Angel's sorry getting a little confused here, but Little Angel's Family Daycare 2, Inc. owns the facility and completed the construction project, but their obligation to provide services is being provided through their ancillary entity,
Little Angel's Learning Center 1, Inc. >> Okay. So, are we giving is this to uh authorize money because it says down here 2.4 million has been approved in an earlier budget that that's what I need to understand. Or are you just changing
names and adding someone to a contract? >> Great question. Um so this was approved yes in 2019, excuse me. Um but then COVID hit. Uh so their construction got really dragged out to do this. Uh the part of the agreement is that they get reimbursed once they're open. So yes, it
is built and now they're submitting for it. The hiccup came was it was in two different names. So we had the original agreement was the uh the original agreement was the one name and now we've had to change it to what the operator is so we can get that reimbursement cut to them. But the building construction is
done, but that was part of the agreement. They don't they do not get that money until they're up and operational. >> So we're going to give them $2.4 4 million of like reimbursing grant >> of grant money that was allocated in 2019. >> Okay. So then my follow-up question is
um when I talk to parents in my district, I always hear the desire for more prek seats, especially all day prek at their neighborhood schools. And I'm just a little confused about why we
think it's a better idea to pay $2.4 $4 million to a forprofit operator, which is obviously going to use the money for more than just education since it's forprofit, instead of ensuring that we have um more prek seats in our actual
neighborhood schools. Like that that just seems like a much better course of action to me. So, can someone explain that? >> Um yeah, I think so. Chief, >> this was um
I I think one thing you'll have to look at is where your district located and where these services are being provided. So I I I'm not sure if Chief Carmona has additional information to provide, but I think it's an underserved area that that was in need of this support that other
areas of the city were not in similar situation. uh I should be able to provide additional information uh before the board meeting so that you get uh that data of why we approving these seats in this particular area of the city for this particular organization. I
I'll get that information to you. >> I I just want to just have a point of clarity. Uh there were a number of issues related to this transaction that slow the process. My question is, have we resolved those and we're on track now
to be on on track to have these funds released to this entity? >> Unfortunately, I do not know the status of the licensing. Um, it this board report mentions that the one additional reason for this amendment is to provide additional time for Little Angel's
Learning Center One, Inc. to obtain their necessary licensing to fulfill the obligation of the agreement to provide the services. So I I I can't say one way or the other uh whether that's been completed yet. As of the date of this report, it was not.
>> I think it's going it's so this there have been a number of challenges related to this. >> There are but this was the this was step one. We need we need to get the name switched. So going to at least we have the authorization to pay them once the other documentation comes in. >> This was step this is step one.
>> Understood. Can you keep us updated on this process? >> Yes, absolutely. >> Hold on. Hold on a second. Member Rosenfeld. >> Thanks. Um, I've been to this place a couple of times and I've invited other
board members to go as well. There is I don't know how you could step foot in Little Angels and not be absolutely for this newly constructed safe haven, you know, high quality education for students that need it the most. If we've
ever been able to reach students further from furthest from opportunity, Little Angels is the place. Um, I encourage everybody before the board meeting to go check it out if you have questions. Uh it's a really really special place with people that are doing
amazing things for the kids that are need it just need it real bad. Um I do believe that they have taken care of all their licensing requirements but I'm sure the board will get that information but please go visit and I'm happy to set you up if you need help.
>> Member Gutierrez. Yeah, I guess I I I heard you say that they're kind of non-incmpliant with their lensure, which is what is hindering their ability to get paid. Is that true? >> I I I want to take a step back and clarify it.
>> The original 2019 funding agreement was providing funding for construction for the provision of services. The entity that completed the construction was party to the first agreement. Their service provider was not. So we need to name their service provider in the
agreement to fulfill so they can fulfill their obligation to provide services through that entity rather than through the construction entity Little Angel's Family Daycare 2. Although the funding for construction is going to them, they needed to fulfill the obligation they
owed to CPS to provide the services. So the the actual service provider is specifically being called out and named here so that it's very clear that they will fulfill their obligation through their partner entity providing the services because the entity that did the
construction is not the same entity that's providing the services and they would have failed to fulfill their obligation without this amendment. >> And I assume that the dollars that we're talking about are either tiff and or deco dollars. >> I'm not sure the source but I can tell by the funding line they are grant funds. Um, we'd have to look into it a
little further to provide the exact source of the grant funding. >> And then my last question, and this is a Chief Carmona question. Um, are is the district providing that other provider who's providing the services dollars for
the services to children? >> Um, I'll get back to you on that question. That question was boil. >> Yeah, I went to visit um little angels as well and I know I was wondering too a
little bit about and this is probably not for you guys, but you know how we um agreed to give $50 million to the city of Chicago of our early childhood money. uh to that DFSS
for I was want I was wondering I asked if Little Angels was able to get some of that money because similar to what Karen was asking I was thinking you know how can we get more seats um and I was a little concerned about us giving the 50
million to the city of Chicago when we needed more seats in our schools. Um, but somehow Little Angels was explaining they're not eligible for any of the DFSS money. So, that's just an extra little
question. I know it doesn't have to do with Ivan. >> Uh, yes. Uh, you're absolutely right. They do not qualify for the block grant. Uh, but we'll give you more information. Uh, as as we speaking on this, I'm getting some information from early childhood uh, chief. Uh we'll pro
provide a report for you by the end before next week. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Last question on this. Dr. King, did you want to talk about this? >> I did. I just wanted to say that CPS does not service zero to three for the most part. So we have to keep in mind
that early childhood centers can serve students that do not fall within the age range that CPS provides services for. >> Last question. Given that this grant was 2019, is there any danger of these funds suns setting?
>> To to my knowledge, no. The money's there and it's ready to to go as soon as we get some of these paperwork on ordered. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, board members. The following slides list the standard monthly reports and motions that are listed in the agenda view committee
meeting agenda and posted online. This concludes board reports of the public agenda. Are there any comments or questions on any items? There being none, we'll now move to executive session. Board member Blaze, do you have motion?
>> I move for the passage of motion number 26-0211- M O2 and the commencement of a closed session to consider matters permitted under section 2C of the Open Meetings Act subsections 1 and 11 as specified in the motion. >> Is there a second?
>> I second the motion. I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano. >> Yes. Can you say it into your mic? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Member Smith. >> Yes. >> Member Lopez.
>> Hi. >> Member Bole. >> Yes. Member Wallace. >> Hi. >> Member Kuster. >> Hi. >> Member Pope. >> Yes. >> Member Rosenfeld. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. >> I. >> Member Rio Sierra. >> I.
>> Thank you. Member Bannon. >> Hi. >> Me. Vice President Bautista. >> Yes. >> Member Gutierrez. >> I. >> Member Biggs. >> Yes. >> Member Thorakura. >> Yes. >> Member Blae. >> I. >> Member Zachor. >> Yes. >> Member Deberry. >> I.
>> 18 eyes, zero nazs. This motion is adopted by the board. >> The speaker will now go into close session. >> The agenda review committee meeting of the board of education is reconvened. Board secretary, please proceed. >> President Hard Harden, I would like to
note for the record that there are no items to vote on from executive session. >> Thank you. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So move. So move. >> Is there a second? Second. >> All in favor? I We are journ. Thank you.