| Often
times, parents ask if there are formal venues for getting
their schools’ capital needs identified and on
public record, as an attempt to put their schools on
the radar. There are several opportunities for the public
to testify about the capital needs. Other times, people
may feel this may be a futile process; however, NCBG
encourages parents and community leaders to remain persistent
and jumping through several of these “hoops”
are important. Below are three opportunities to provide
public testimony:
1.Monthly Board of Education Meetings
Although you may have been waiting years for your
promised capital repairs, don’t assume that
the new administration is aware of the history of
the needs, the promised projects, and your past calls
for funding. NCBG always encourages parents, LSCs,
and educators testify at one of the monthly Board
of Education meetings, prior to April (inform them
prior to the annual budget hearings). At the beginning
of each meeting, the Board allows 2 hours of public
testimony for anything regarding schools. Using the
opportunity to testify to the Board of Education may
be helpful for informing the Board in your own words
(with pictures, documentations, building engineer
specifications, etc.) about your school’s capital
needs and, thus, insisting that the situation be corrected;
Prompting CPS’ CEO to respond and update audience
on your school’s capital repair status; intriguing
and gaining support from the general public in the
room (LSCs, parents, educators, community groups,
and media); and ensuring that your school and CPS’
response to the matter is on public record. Click
here for location and dates.
The Board of Education Meetings are
held the 4th Wednesday of every month
Public testimony is from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Sign-up for testimony is between 8:00 –
9:30 am
125 S. Clark Street, 5th Floor Board Chambers
January 22, 2003
February 26, 2003
March 26, 2003
April 23, 2003
May 28, 2003
June 25, 2003
July 23, 2003
August 27, 2003
2.Annual Public Budget Hearings
Every year, the Chicago Public Schools hold approximately
6 regional capital budget hearings that specifically
request parents and school officials to testify on
school capital needs, in hopes of influencing the
prioritization for funding to fall into your school.
Often, this resembles schools begging CPS for funding,
and hoping that their situation is dire enough. While
in the past, CPS does not seem to have used this testimony
to weigh their decisions for funding appropriations,
the new administration assures parents that this testimony
is considered prior to making their final decisions
on the capital budget (late June – early July).
NCBG leaders have expressed concern that there needs
to be more valuable means for public participation
in the spending decisions of the public’s wealth;
however, until CPS forms a public citizens’
advisory committee and CPS meets with parent leaders
on strategies to make the capital process more inclusive,
parents are still encouraged to participate and testify.
3.City Council Education Committee
Meetings
Although this is rarely done, testifying at the monthly
City Council Education Committee meetings is an additional
venue. Often times, our alderpersons don’t know
the capital needs of their own neighborhood school.
This can be a good opportunity to gain support from
your alderperson for putting additional pressure on
the Chicago Public Schools to repair your school.
Visit the city’s website to learn who makes
up the education committee (currently Ald. O’Connor
is the chair), and when their meetings take place.
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