Ten Chicago aldermen and a state rep attend CTU’s 'State of CPS Summit' on June 11, 2016... The 'Summit' continued the union's elaboration of strategy and tactics from CTU and its allies as the June stalemates for school funding continue in Chicago and Springfield...
The Chicago Public Schools Summit 2016 was sponsored by the Chicago Teachers Union and several of its community partners.The Chicago Teachers Union, in conjunction with community partners of the Grassroots Education Movement (GEM), held a “State of CPS Summit” on June 11, 2016, to push a program of city and state funding for the city’s public schools. Around 120 teachers, parents, community activists and non-profit workers packed into the gymnasium at National Teachers Academy for a panel discussion. Prominent community groups included Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO), Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (BPNC), Action Now, Teachers for Social Justice and Grassroots Collaborative. Ten of Chicago’s aldermen attended, as well as one state representative. Jay Travis, former executive director of KOCO, MC’ed the event. In her opening presentation she called for an Elected Representative School Board, and progressive revenue solutions. She called the governor’s actions “reprehensible, but not a justification for inaction from our city government.” She noted the Mayor’s ingenuity when it comes to drawing the Lucas museum to the city, and said “we cannot solve the problem of equitable funding without new sources of revenue at the city and state level.” Travis was followed by presentations from CTU Political Director Stacey Davis-Gates and Organizer Matthew Luskin. Both Davis-Gates and Luskin gave the slide presentation on the Union’s revenue plan that was shown earlier in the week at the CTU House of Delegates – though notably the presentation on June 11 did not take up the regressive taxes that have been controversial within CORE and at the last two House of Delegates meetings. 
Chicago Public Schools "Chief Executive Officer" Forrest Claypool (second from right above) presented his talking points on behalf of the Board's "20 for 20" plan at the April 27, 2016 meeting of the Board of Education. Claypool and the members of the Board have all been appointed to their positions by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Left to right above, Board member Gail Ward, Board member Michael Baranzini, CEO Forrest Claypool, and General Counsel Ronald Marmer. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt. Both noted that CPS did not have any legislation written to back their “20 for 20" call in Springfield. [The "20 to 20" campaign, which has been promoted by CPS administrators and propagandists, is that since Chicago has 20 percent of the state's public school students CPS should get 20 percent of Illinois state aid for its public schools. Currently, according to Claypool, CPS is only receiving 15 percent of state aid].
The issue was precise as it related to lobbying. On May 26, 2016, CPS "Chief Executive Officer" Forrest Claypool asked thousands of parents, students and teachers to "get on the bus" with him to demand that Illinois produce more dollars for Chicago's schools. The speakers and lawmakers pointed out that it makes little sense to lobby state legislators (especially this late in the session of the Illinois General Assembly) unless you are asking for support for a specific piece of legislation. Echoing points made earlier (at the CTU House of Delegates meeting), Luskin and Davis Gates noted that Claypool's controversial action was not tied to any specific legislation to bring about the so-called "20 - 20" solution.
They also reminded the audience that “equality of CPS with other districts is absurd” despite Claypool's much repeated "20 - 20" talking point. Why? David Gates and Luskin told the audience that the needs of many CPS students are much higher than in wealthy districts elsewhere in the state. so that simple equity (which is what Claypool is claiming the city should have in the "20 - 20" proposal) is not enough for Chicago's children to get the schools they deserve. Davis-Gates noted that many of our students come to our classrooms suffering from trauma as well as other problems associated with severe poverty. Luskin said “Asking for a bigger piece of the pie, when the pie is this small, will leave us starving.”
The speakers panel included Dyett hunger striker, CTU member and Executive Board member-elect Dr. Monique Redeaux-Smith, Darlene Winston, a SECA aide working at Hansen Park Elementary School, CPS parent Kim Jeffries, Laura Nieto, a parent at Burroughs Elementary, and Karina Martinez, a Curie High student. Martinez related that Curie students could not take textbooks home, because of the school had a shortage, that the orchestra had to fundraise to repair any broken instruments, that the school has falling ceilings and leaky gym roof. She talked about Friday’s student walk-out at the Thompson Center.
At the end of the panel, Travis followed up with a few more remarks, saying she wanted to “push the envelope”, asking the aldermen in attendance to commit to pushing for revenue both in Springfield and in City Council. There was a dull “yeah” response from the politicians in the front row. A member of the audience insisted that the politicians each speak individually, which followed some back and forth with the chair.
Scott Waguespack of the 32nd ward broke the logjam – he said he’s done this before and was happy to make a statement. He said he’d been to Springfield three times, that he’d lobbied against the Aramark deal. In follow up remarks with this reporter, he emphasized that it’s not just a question of getting more revenue, but also of the Board’s wasteful spending on contracts with SUPES, Aramark and the like. He mentioned that a teacher at Drummond had been injured in part because of Aramark’s cleaning practices. He also wants the proposed privatization of the city’s crossing guards resolved.
John Arena of the 45th ward said he was the co-sponsor of the TIF surplus ordinance. He said he’d given the mayor 13 revenue points, and that he’d proposed a city income tax and that he was working on it. He said they would need voter support.
Sonia Harper, state representative of the 6th district, and member of Lindblom’s ALSC, spoke. Third ward alderman Pat Dowell said she would “work on this with you.”
James Cappleman of the 46th ward (a leader in the rapid gentrification of Uptown), said this was a crisis as never seen, there were principal’s leaving schools, that public education is a right, and that he planned to fight.
Sophia King, newly appointed to the 4th ward seat vacated by Will Burns, said “I do support a number of the CTU Revenue proposals.” That she saw challenges in the state, and that “I hope to learn from you. I’m an educator by trade. I’m happy to lead and be a part of the change that needs to happen.”
Deb Mell narrowly avoided a run-off with CTU delegate Tim Meegan to replace her father in her 33rd ward seat. She said she’s seen the proposed school cuts. “It’s horrific, actually. I’m here ready to learn from you. . . I look forward to working with all of you.”
A scene from the "State of the School Summit" on June 11, 2016. Labor Beat photo.Harry Osterman of the 48th ward said he was “all in on new revenue.” That they will not solve the problem just in Springfield. He noted they have “great schools” in his ward which are “the backbone of our community,” and that “this conversation needs to be taking place in City Council Chambers.”
Chris Talliaferro of the 29th ward said “if we don’t come up with revenue, our future is in jeopardy, our children will not receive the education they deserve.” He noted alderman Dowell had declared a local TIF surplus, and he said he would follow suit in his ward – he thanked alderman Dowell.
Nick Sposato of the 38th ward said this was the 20th or 25th CTU sponsored event he’d attended. “I’ve proven myself. Keep fighting. There’s only so much we can do – state law is stacked against us. Keep fighting. We’re doing everything we can.”
Rick Munoz of the “fighting 22nd ward” said he was a “Yes and a Yes” on Travis’s two questions.
An audience member noted that 43rd ward alderman Tom Tunney and 25th ward alderman Solis were not in attendance.
The meeting then broke out into small workshops. The 12th ward alderman, George Cardenas, was in the audience when the group reconvened at the end, though Cardenas did not address the meeting. Many CTU activists will note that Cardenas in the past has been a truculent proponent of charter schools. But that he’s had a change of heart lately – he opposed the Noble Street charter in Brighton Park last fall.
Travis then made a call for CPS to fund “fifty sustainable community schools” and for voter registration to take place in high schools. The politicians may have said a few words, but a real defense of public education for our students can only by mounted with a determined push by teachers, our parent and community allies, and by the broader working class in this city. The fact that so many politicians came to the event – including a few, like Mell, who are identify with “the Machine” – is a small measure of the pressure they feel.
