To help inform voters on who’s running for Chicago’s elected school board, the Chicago Tribune education team posed a series of questions to the candidates in each district. These questions ranged from basic information on their background and campaign platform to their stance on several issues facing Chicago Public Schools.
See the answers from Lanetta Thomas, candidate for elected school board in the 9th District, below.
About the Candidate
Name: Lanetta Thomas
Age: 32
Neighborhood: Roseland
School District: 9
Education: Digital media production diploma, Illinois Media School; majoring in political science and minoring in global studies, Governors State University; majoring in Spanish and minoring in French and public relations, Chicago State University
Current Job: Assistant to marketing, promotions & external relations for the College of Arts and Sciences at Governors State University
Previous Political Experience: Field organizer for various campaigns.
Questions and Answers
In the interest of transparency, the candidate’s responses shown here are published as written and have not been edited by the Tribune.
Did you attend Chicago Public Schools or is anyone in your immediate family a CPS student? Yes.
Have you worked at Chicago Public Schools or another school? What is your background in education?
While I have not worked directly for Chicago Public Schools, I have been deeply involved in education advocacy as a CPS parent and alum. My background in education stems from my extensive work in community activism and my experience in educational leadership. As a former student advocate at CPS, current student advocate at Chicago State University, and current public relations professional, I’ve consistently worked to amplify student voices, address educational disparities, and promote equitable access to resources for all students. My involvement with political campaigns and community-based initiatives has also given me insight into how educational policies impact students and families.
Why are you running for a seat on the Chicago Board of Education?
I am running for the Chicago school board because I believe that every student, regardless of background or neighborhood, deserves access to quality education. As a CPS parent and alum, I have personally experienced the challenges within the system, and I am committed to fighting for equitable funding, safe learning environments, and policies that support the whole student—academically, socially, and emotionally. My goal is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, and that our schools receive the resources they need to provide a high-quality education.
How would you describe your district?
Chicago Public Schools is a district with incredible potential but faces significant challenges. It is one of the largest and most diverse school systems in the country, but it also struggles with inequitable funding, staffing shortages, and under-resourced schools, particularly on the South and West sides. Despite these challenges, the district is full of dedicated educators and bright students, all of whom deserve better support and opportunities.
How would you describe your campaign platform?
My campaign platform focuses on several key pillars: equitable funding, amplifying student voices, creating safe and inclusive learning environments, and supporting special education and early childhood learning. I am committed to ensuring that all schools receive fair resource distribution, including fully funding social service teams such as counselors, social workers, and nurses to support student well-being. I believe in addressing the current burden on taxpayers, ensuring that their contributions result in well-maintained schools and that funding is used effectively to support both students and staff. By empowering students, advocating for special education services, and holding the district accountable for proper school upkeep, I aim to create an environment where every student can succeed, free from discrimination or fear.
What is the single most important issue facing CPS students?
The single most important issue facing CPS students is inequitable funding. Schools in different parts of the city do not receive the same level of resources, which directly affects the quality of education students receive. This funding disparity leads to overcrowded classrooms, a lack of support for diverse learners, and unsafe learning conditions. Addressing this issue is critical to ensuring that every student has the chance to succeed, regardless of where they live.
Provide three to four key points you want voters to know about your campaign.
I am a CPS parent and alum, which gives me firsthand insight into the challenges that students, families, and educators face in our schools every day. I am committed to fighting for equitable funding for all schools, especially in South and West side neighborhoods where underinvestment has left schools and students without the resources they deserve. I will advocate for fully funded special education and early childhood learning programs, along with ensuring that each school has a full social services team—including counselors, social workers, and nurses—to support student success. I am dedicated to holding CPS accountable for using taxpayer funds efficiently, ensuring that schools are properly maintained and that every student can thrive in a safe, inclusive, and well-resourced learning environment.
Given this year’s budgetary problems and disagreements on how to solve them, what do you propose for the district’s funding in future years? Would you support the district in taking on any loans in future years to fund the annual budget?
I believe the district needs to secure sustainable funding from state and federal sources to ensure long-term financial stability. While I understand the need for immediate solutions, I am cautious about taking on additional loans, as this could exacerbate the district’s financial problems in the future. Instead, I would advocate for reforms in how state education funds are distributed to ensure Chicago schools receive a fair share of resources. If borrowing becomes necessary, it must come with a solid plan to manage and repay the debt without compromising the quality of education.
The Chicago Board of Education recently adopted a new 5-year Strategic Plan. Which aspects do you support and which would you change, if any?
I support the focus on equity, particularly in addressing under-resourced schools and providing better access to the arts, special education, and support for vulnerable student populations. However, I believe the plan could go further in terms of holding leadership accountable for executing these changes. I would advocate for more specific, measurable goals, particularly around funding distribution and support for diverse learners, to ensure the plan’s promises are met.
As thousands of migrant families settle in Chicago, how should the District handle the influx of English learners? What more should be done to ensure consistent bilingual education is provided and funded?
To handle the influx of English learners, CPS needs to significantly expand its bilingual education programs, starting with hiring more qualified bilingual teachers and providing them with the necessary resources and support. Additionally, I believe that CPS should form partnerships with City Colleges of Chicago and Chicago State University to involve students pursuing post-secondary degrees in languages and education. These students, who need student teaching experience, can help meet the demand for bilingual education while gaining valuable hands-on training.
I also propose that CPS engage with neighborhood bilingual support agencies and organizations that already offer free language services. These partnerships would help provide consistent and accessible support for students and families, without placing an additional financial burden on the district.
To ensure ongoing and adequate funding, bilingual education programs should be a priority in the district’s budget, with consistent financial resources allocated to these initiatives. Additionally, CPS must provide training for all teachers on supporting English learners in their classrooms, ensuring that language barriers do not prevent students from achieving success. This effort should also extend to creating more community outreach programs to help migrant families navigate the educational system, offering them resources and support in their native languages.
Do you believe the district has historically underinvested in South and West side schools? Yes.
If yes, what solutions would you propose to address inequities and opportunity gaps in the school system?
The district has long underinvested in South and West side schools, leading to significant inequities in resources, infrastructure, and educational outcomes. To address these inequities, I propose reallocating district resources to ensure that these schools receive the funding they need for renovations, staffing, and expanded programs. I also believe in increasing community involvement in decision-making to better tailor solutions to the specific needs of these schools.
Since his election, Mayor Johnson has indicated a desire to move away from school choice and bolster neighborhood schools. This was recently reinforced by in the District’s 5-year Strategic Plan. Do you share this position? Why or why not?
Yes, I support the emphasis on strengthening neighborhood schools. Every child should have access to a high-quality school in their own community, and investing in neighborhood schools is key to achieving this. While I do believe in school choice because parents should have the option to decide what is best for their children, no parent should feel forced to seek alternatives due to underfunding or lack of resources at their local school. Strengthening neighborhood schools ensures that families have quality options close to home, and that choice becomes a matter of preference, not necessity.
That said, I also support the idea of school choice because parents should have the right to decide what’s best for their children. However, school choice should not be a solution to underfunded or poorly resourced neighborhood schools. By investing in neighborhood schools—making sure they have the staff, programs, and services they need—we can ensure that parents aren’t forced to seek alternatives and can choose a neighborhood school without sacrificing quality.
In short, I believe in giving parents the freedom to choose, while also ensuring that neighborhood schools are strengthened and adequately funded, so they can provide a high-quality education to all students, regardless of where they live.
What solutions do you propose to provide busing for students at selective enrollment and magnet schools?
I propose reinstating and expanding transportation services for students attending selective enrollment and magnet schools. This could involve working with the CTA to provide free transit passes specifically for these students or partnering with private transportation services for areas where public transit is not accessible. Ensuring safe and reliable transportation for students who attend schools outside their neighborhoods is essential to providing equitable access to these programs.
Please share your thoughts on how the District and the Chicago Teachers Union can settle on a new 4-year contract.
The District and the Chicago Teachers Union should approach contract negotiations with a focus on transparency, collaboration, and ensuring the best outcomes for students, teachers, and the broader school community. Beyond key issues such as fair compensation, manageable class sizes, and the resources necessary to support diverse learners, I believe affordable housing for students should also be addressed. Many students, especially those from low-income families, face housing instability, which significantly affects their ability to succeed in school. The district must work with the city to ensure that affordable housing initiatives are part of the broader strategy for improving student welfare.
Additionally, the Principal Union’s concerns should be considered as well. Principals play a crucial role in school leadership and should have a say in these discussions, particularly on issues that directly impact school management, such as staffing, funding, and resource allocation. Using neutral arbitration, as outlined in HB297, could be an effective way to resolve disputes in a timely and fair manner, ensuring that negotiations do not drag on and negatively affect students and staff. This holistic approach will help address the needs of both educators and students, fostering a more stable and supportive educational environment.
In 2024, Chicago Public Schools’ average literacy proficiency rate is 31%, an increase from pre-pandemic years. These rates, however, were lower for students from low-income families, English learners and students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs). How should the district seek to improve literacy rates going forward?
To improve literacy rates, CPS should take a multifaceted approach, focusing on early intervention and targeted support for the most vulnerable student populations. First, investing in early childhood education is critical to laying a strong foundation for literacy development. The district should increase access to literacy specialists, ensuring they are available in every school to provide personalized support for students from low-income families, English learners, and students with IEPs.
Additionally, the district can expand after-school tutoring programs and partner with community organizations that offer free literacy programs. By utilizing these local resources, we can extend literacy support beyond the classroom and into the neighborhoods where families live. Providing access to culturally relevant reading materials that reflect students’ backgrounds and experiences is also essential in engaging them and improving comprehension.
Furthermore, CPS should reduce class sizes to allow for more individualized attention from teachers, especially in literacy instruction. By working closely with parents, the district can ensure that literacy support continues at home, providing parents with the tools and resources they need to encourage reading outside of school. This comprehensive approach will help bridge literacy gaps and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically.
What is your position on expanded funding and renewal terms for charter schools?
I believe that funding for charter schools should not come at the expense of neighborhood public schools. Our priority must be on revitalizing and fully funding neighborhood schools, ensuring they are sustainable and able to serve all students equitably. To protect the resources allocated to these schools, I propose a moratorium on the creation of any new charter schools within the district. We need to focus on getting our neighborhood schools back to their glory days by investing in their infrastructure, teachers, and student services.
While charter schools can provide additional options for families, any renewal terms for existing charter schools should be based on strict accountability measures, including academic performance, equitable enrollment practices, and financial transparency. Our goal should be to make neighborhood schools the cornerstone of every community, providing high-quality education and opportunities for all students without diverting crucial resources to charters.
Please provide your thoughts on how to keep Chicago Public Schools as safe havens for students to learn and free of fear of violence. How do you propose the district approach this?
To keep CPS schools as safe havens, we need a holistic approach that focuses on both the individual and the community. First and foremost, the district should invest heavily in mental health services by providing every school with a full team of counselors, social workers, and psychologists to address the underlying issues that may lead to violence or behavioral problems. These professionals can provide wraparound care to support not just the students, but the entire family in coping with trauma, helping to uncover the root causes of mental health issues.
Additionally, CPS should focus on restorative justice practices, which work to repair harm and build positive relationships rather than relying on punitive measures. Schools should reduce the presence of police officers and instead increase support for community-based safety programs, creating environments where students feel supported, not criminalized.
The district must also engage with local organizations that specialize in trauma-informed care, ensuring that students and their families have access to the resources they need both inside and outside of school. Addressing the root causes of violence, such as poverty, trauma, and lack of mental health support, will create a more supportive and safer learning environment where students can flourish without fear. By fostering strong connections between schools, families, and communities, CPS can create a network of care that promotes safety and well-being for all.
