CPS Board Member Roles and Responsibilities

Being a member of a Board, especially a Board of Education for the 4th largest school district in the United States of America, is a really big job. I have come to realize that there is a huge knowledge gap from most people (including many of the candidates running) about the roles and responsibilities of an effective Board member.

As a trained journalist, Chicagoan, citizen, CPS parent, and candidate, I want everyone to make informed decisions about their Board of Education members. I have created a scorecard for District 4. I have also included the primary sources below to help everyone get informed on this critical leadership role.

This video from CPS is one of the best overviews I’ve seen:

Responsibilities from the Chicago Board of Education website: CPS has a budget of more than $9 billion, which is used to serve over 325,000 students across 634 schools. Governing this organization is a tremendous responsibility for the Board Members selected to lead. Board Members fulfill a number of specific key responsibilities, including, but not limited to:

• Hiring and evaluating the CEO

• Establishing the direction, goals, and priorities for the district

• Approving district policies

• Approving purchasing decisions, contracts, and intergovernmental agreements

• Approving the district budget and capital improvement plan

• Approving the school year calendar

• Approving school continuous improvement plans, school actions, and school charters and contracts

• Approving the dismissal of probationary appointed teachers, contract principals and tenured teachers, and non-probationary educational support personnel

Use this guide to help evaluate your local candidates. Let’s elect qualified candidates for local public education.