A Note of News and Thanks

First, the news:

Black Student Achievement Committee Seeks Members. The long-awaited committee, which will monitor implementation of the district's Black Student Success Plan, appears to be coming closer to life. In early 2026, the Board of Education will appoint 14 members to serve 1-year terms. According to an explanatory page on the board's website, "The application is open to a broad range of CPS stakeholders, including students, parents, public school educators and administrators, social service providers, residents, and community leaders." Interested Chicago residents may apply to serve on the committee here. Applications will be accepted through December 15 at 5 p.m.

Carmona to Leave CPS. Acting Chief Education Officer Alfonso Carmona has been named the incoming superintendent of District 46, which serves the northern suburb of Grayslake, Illinois. His tenure there will begin in July 2026.

Chicago Teachers Union to Produce Audits. CTU has agreed to submit five years' worth of audit reports to the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce by December 22. Both WBEZ and the Chicago Tribune (gift link) reported on the request and CTU's response.

Some Board Members Weigh in on City Budget Fight. Yesterday, board members Michilla Blaise, Jitu Brown, Ebony DeBerry, Norma Rios-Sierra, and Debby Pope joined a rally and press conference supporting Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget proposal, which was rejected last week by City Council's Finance Committee.

Shields-Cisneros Co-location Plan Rejected by Both Schools. In meetings last week at Acero Cisneros and Shields Elementary, parents and staff from both school communities opposed the proposal to co-locate. In an email to Shields families, Conrad Timbers-Ausar, Chicago Public Schools' acting chief portfolio officer, said the Cisneros community proposed a co-location. But during the meeting at Shields, Chicago Teachers Union organizer Linda Perales challenged that assertion, saying that CPS told Cisneros they had to create a proposal as a contingency plan. "We're against this forced location," she said. "I think it's important for CPS to take more ownership of the process."

After hearing unanimous testimony from Shields parents and teachers opposing the proposal, Timbers-Ausar promised to convey their message to CPS leadership: "This proposal should not be moved forward to a recommendation." But, he warned, his office does not make the final determination whether to move forward.

According to a state law governing school actions, Interim Superintendent/CEO Macquline King must present any recommendation to close or consolidate school buildings by December 1. Should she choose to move forward with the co-location proposal, two community meetings and a public hearing would be held in January. The board would likely vote on such a proposal in February or March.

Cisneros families have been asked to complete a survey asking how likely it is they would leave Cisneros if it were to co-locate with Shields, among other questions.

Super Search Update: "Ongoing." The board recently posted a brief update about the superintendent search process, describing it as "ongoing" and promising to continue sharing updates and opportunities for public engagement on its dedicated search page. Yesterday, board member Jessica Biggs told Chalkbeat Chicago, "The board is working on recalibrating and deciding how to move forward together."

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