Trying to revive Chicago’s faltering local school councils–widely regarded as the linchpin of the city’s vaunted reform movement–schools chief Arne Duncan on Thursday pleaded with parents and community members to run for council seats.
Less than three months from the May elections, about 1,800 people have registered as candidates for 6,000 positions. Duncan said he wants at least 10,000 candidates to ensure contested elections. Two years ago, only 5,683 candidates filed, among the worst showings since school reform was launched 13 years ago.
Participation in the councils waned under Duncan’s predecessor, Paul Vallas, who often avoided involving them in major decisions. But Duncan said he wants to strengthen the councils, saying they play a crucial role by giving parents a voice in their school.
“Now, more than ever, we need parents and the community to step to the plate,” Duncan said. “Our children’s future relies on your involvement. This is where the important decisions are made.”
Interest in the councils has declined even as the system’s enrollment grew, suggesting to some observers that one of the nation’s first and biggest school reform movements has lost the grass-roots momentum that drove the 1988 overhaul. The councils gave parents, previously helpless to change how schools are run, newfound power.
“There was a time when community residents were breaking down the door for local control, and they lined up to run for these positions,” said state Sen. Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst), one of the architects of Chicago’s reform law. “Obviously that’s changed.”
Duties granted to local school councils by the General Assembly include hiring and firing principals, setting a school’s priorities and overseeing its budget. They also get a say in how $261 million in federal antipoverty funds are divided up each year.
On Thursday, several parents picking up their children from school on the Northwest Side said they lack the time required to work on the councils, about 10 hours a month on average.
“I really wouldn’t have the time for the responsibilities,” said Tyrone Terry, an auto parts salesman whose three daughters attend Lafayette Elementary, 2714 W. Augusta Blvd. “It’s not that I’m not concerned, but it’s a time factor.”
Others, like Stephanie Gardiner, figure it’s pointless to run because the schools hand-pick their own candidates.
“They already pretty much know who they want on the board,” said Gardiner, who has a 1st-grader at Lafayette. “It’s all politics.”
Carmen Aljaber, who has two sons at Lafayette as well as a 17-month-old daughter, said she’s one of the few parents who attend school functions and is not surprised that the candidate pool is so small.
“I wish there were more parents who would get involved with their kids’ education,” she said. “There are a lot of parents who figure it’s up to the school.”
In announcing his council recruitment effort Thursday, Duncan requested that each public school principal take responsibility for finding 10 to 15 new candidates for council seats.
Carlos Azcoitia, who will oversee the May elections, said asking principals to play a greater role in candidate recruitment will not compromise the councils’ independence.
“The process works when you see the council exercising self-determination, and we expect that to continue,” said Azcoitia, the system’s deputy chief education officer.
Duncan also said he wants to raise awareness by releasing public service announcements and embarking on a speaking tour of the schools.
Andy Wade, executive director of the pro-school council group Chicago School Leadership Cooperative, said that under Vallas councils were viewed as marginal players. Now things are different, he said: “Arne looks at school councils as having a role.”
People who want to run for a seat have until March 8 to declare their candidacy by submitting a form at their school. Elections for elementary schools will be held May 1; high schools on the following day.
Catalina Feliciano, who has three children at Von Humboldt Elementary, 2620 W. Hirsch St., said she decided to run this year because the school often ignores parents’ wishes.
“Decisions are made without the parents knowing about it, and they don’t find out about it until after it’s done,” Feliciano said. “When something comes up for the parents, I will speak out for them.”
