Recent developments with Chicago Public Schools regarding the district’s new funding formula and its impact on selective enrollment and magnet schools demonstrate a concerning shift away from established transparency norms.
Historically, CPS has shown a commitment to transparency by providing detailed school-by-school budgets. However, the recent lack of openness, particularly concerning its new funding approach, raises significant concerns.
Transparency is crucial in maintaining trust between CPS and its stakeholders. The current opacity from the CPS administration and school board undermines this trust. Decisions made unilaterally, such as abrupt changes to school funding and the rushed implementation of goals for a five-year strategic plan, suggest a governance approach that excludes stakeholder input.
Moreover, not releasing details of the formula used by CPS to calculate the Opportunity Index assigned to each school is troubling. This secrecy seems like a deliberate effort to prevent school communities from understanding and potentially contesting these changes. If the decisions are justifiable, why withhold the details?
The consequences of these actions are evident at Bronzeville Classical, where I serve as the Local School Council chair. As a parent, I have seen the positive impact of this school, which has thrived due to years of community advocacy and commitment. Since its establishment in 2018 by the Bronzeville Community Action Council, Ald. Pat Dowell and dedicated residents, Bronzeville Classical has risen to become one of the top elementary schools in Chicago, according to U.S. News & World Report. Our teachers have also received prestigious awards, underscoring the high quality of education provided.
However, recent budget cuts threaten to undermine these achievements. Selective enrollment and magnet schools face reductions under the new funding formula, jeopardizing programs essential to their unique character and success.
For the well-being of our public school system, it is imperative that the CPS board and administration prioritize genuine community engagement. This starts with transparency, particularly regarding significant financial decisions. The sooner this shift occurs, the better Chicago students will be equipped to succeed.
We must demand accountability and transparency from those in power. The future of our students depends on it.
— Stephen Mitchell, chair, Local School Council, Bronzeville Classical School, and member, Chicago Public Schools Local School Council Advisory Board
Investigation of PPP fraud
I read with interest the article (“IG says state employees defrauded aid program,” May 3) about reports from the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General detailing instances of state employees, especially in the Department of Human Services, fraudulently claiming money under the COVID-19-era Paycheck Protection Program.
What surprised me, however, was that this report and the information about the fraud came from the Office of Executive Inspector General instead of from the agencies themselves. I would have thought the governor and the agencies, including the Department of Human Services, would have been interested in whether the money they were distributing was going to the people it was intended to go to. And that they would have wanted to stop this kind of fraud and report on their efforts, to let us know they care about doing their job.
I was also surprised by the seeming lack of interest by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul in investigating these claims and pursuing those who claimed money from the state they weren’t entitled to. Instead, the attorney general’s office said, in some anodyne email, that it was reviewing referrals sent to the office. I would have thought the attorney general would be interested in investigating these kinds of matters, on his own initiative, both to make sure people aren’t fraudulently taking money from the state and to get the money back from people who have done so.
But then, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. This is, after all, Illinois, and it sometimes seems our last politician with real integrity left Springfield on Feb. 11, 1861.
— Patrick J. Allen, River Forest
The power of student protest
I remember 1968. I was a student at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. We students one evening marched silently carrying lighted candles up to the entrance to the bridge to the Rock Island Arsenal munitions plant.
At the entrance were stationed rows of arsenal security police with riot gear and billy clubs. We stopped,
then continued silently by. We had never in our wildest dreams planned to enter. I think we mostly were surprised that a part of the otherworldly, gigantic machinery that was the U.S. Department of Defense had apparently noticed that a bunch of kids in a Midwest town had been horrified at the unholy war our government was carrying on.
I am 89 years old now, and it is difficult for me to march and carry signs. But there are other students. They are young, not corrupt, and they will speak for me. And they will say that it is wrong for U.S. dollars and bombs to help murder defenseless Palestinians.
Thank you, students!
— Inez Tornblom, Elgin
History lesson for students
Watching the protests on college campuses around the country makes me ask: “What are they being taught?” Because it surely isn’t history. If the students knew anything about history, they would know that Israel was born after the Jewish people were the victims of an actual genocide in World War II.
From day one, the Jewish people in Israel had Arab countries vowing to destroy them. They were attacked on Oct. 7, and they have every right to wage war against the terrorists. Just as this country did after we were attacked on 9/11.
And one more history lesson for the protesters: The 1968 Democratic National Convention that was held in Chicago was a major reason for the election of Richard Nixon.
— Michael J. Medley, Chicago
Why no protests against Hamas?
I want to know why there isn’t equal outrage on college campuses and across the spectrum against Hamas as there is against the Israeli government.
I find this imbalance disturbing. In my mind, Hamas precipitated this whole affair. It knew exactly what the response would be; Oct. 7 was a calculated attack at the expense of innocent Israeli citizens, to date untold innocent Palestinian civilians and Israel.
I want to see the protesters display equal outrage at Hamas. I hear crickets.
— Fred Paul, Northbrook
Moderate Muslim voices
The Tribune frequently highlights, as it did on the front page on May 6 (“Jewish organizers explain significance of Shabbat service”), Jewish voices that use their religious beliefs to criticize Israel. Yet, I cannot recall a single column, interview or letter to the editor from an American Muslim using his or her religious beliefs to advocate for an anti-Hamas position.
Where are all the moderate Muslim voices? Hamas has held the Palestinian people hostage for decades, diverting international aid for its terrorist militias and torpedoing all attempts at peace through suicide bombings and indiscriminate rocket fire. Why aren’t any Muslims standing up and unequivocally condemning Hamas? Where are their protests to pressure Hamas to release the hostages, which could potentially end this war?
Has Hamas instilled such fear of repercussions that the moderate Muslim voice is silenced? I welcome this voice and continue to listen for it.
— Judy Smiley, Highland Park
Money for stadiums, not people?
The private corporation that runs the Bears wants our tax money to fund its new corporate headquarters — a sports stadium. What about the White Sox? Will they also be entitled to tax money? Can other corporations ask the same? When will it stop?
How many residents could we permanently house and feed with this money? Should taxpayer money help the Bears such that those residents must remain in the streets? If so, what is the logic?
Housing and feeding residents produces workers who pay taxes. Funding a sports stadium increases the earnings for the millionaire owners. (And we all know trickle-down doesn’t happen.)
— Christine Steffy, McHenry
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