CTU President Jesse Sharkey responds to long-awaited district contract proposals
The Board’s submission to the fact-finder with proposed salary increases was its first economic proposal. The Union takes this as an opening offer, and also to show that CPS and the mayor know they can afford educators’ demands for fairness. CHICAGO, July 3,...
Our immigrant students and families are at risk—and we must support them.
Immigrant students in Chicago public schools hail from dozens of different countries and regions — and every child and their family deserves sanctuary in Chicago. CHICAGO—The CTU is unapologetically standing by its immigrant students and their families, who make...
Lightfoot, CPS continue to push Rahm agenda at bargaining as contract expires
CTU blasts CPS bargaining team for continuing to stall on embedding campaign promise for public education equity in contract proposals and mayor’s false claims of bargaining “in good faith,” as union readies for possible fall strike. CHICAGO—The...
CTU to CPS board, mayor: transformation must begin by bargaining in earnest
With union contract expiring in four days, equity for public schools remains a pipe dream, as CPS seeks to jam through racist revised school assessment policy and preserve status quo. CHICAGO—Parents, students, teachers and school support staff rallied today and...
A troubling year of failure to protect and serve students
New mayor controlled board must respect community concerns over misguided school policing practices, invest instead in trauma supports and restorative justice, end criminalization of students. CHICAGO—Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey issued the following...While some gains have been made, equity agenda in Springfield requires real leadership from Lightfoot
CTU calls on new mayor to ‘Keep the Promise’ for education equity by supporting restoration of labor bargaining rights, elected, representative school board. CHICAGO—The Chicago Teachers Union made some powerful gains in this spring’s Springfield...
Chicago mayor must keep promise of elected representative school board
New mayorally controlled board must immediately address critical needs in school communities, including ending discriminatory ‘student-based budgeting’. CHICAGO—Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in response...
As school district collects more funds from Springfield, CPS slashes critical frontline staff
District’s distorted priorities perpetuate Emanuel inequities instead of educational justice for students, educators. CHICAGO—CPS announced another round of layoffs today, which by its own numbers are higher this year than last year. Chicago Teachers Union...
Instead of funding classrooms, Namaste charter board to consider school closure
CHICAGO, May 28, 2019—Chicago Teachers Union leadership has learned that the board of directors at Namaste charter school in McKinley Park will consider a plan to close the school at tonight’s 5:30 p.m. meeting, in an effort to block educators at the school from...General CTU Announcement
Sep 26, 2011: ‘Longer School Day’ political slogan is no substitute for a coherent education plan
Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen GJ Lewis says the “Longer School Day” slogan adopted by the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) cannot substitute for an education plan. Educators at more than 115 elementary schools have rejected the ill-advised proposal because the hastily put together campaign left no time to adequately plan how to use the extended time in the most effective manner possible.
“There has been no meaningful discussion with educators, parents or the community on how to implement the longer school day,” explained Lewis. “Without adequate planning, much of this extra time may turn into simply more test prep. The ‘Longer School Day’ political slogan cannot substitute for a coherent education plan.”
Lewis has said CPS should focus on implementing a “better school day” for Chicago students. “If we want to make an extended school day produce results for elementary school students their curricula and class sizes must mirror those in well-funded school districts and expensive private schools. We need a conversation to plan this time, not sound bites,” she said.
The outspoken Union leader and 23-year educator nominated three elementary school teachers, a leader of a parent organization and a well-regarded, community activist to participate on CPS’ extended learning time advisory panel. None have been seated. She also sympathized with the teachers and school employees at the six schools that are now trying to cope with the school board’s rushed initiative.
“During my years as a classroom teacher I learned to adapt to dozens of ill-conceived and inadequately supported CPS initiatives from the school board bureaucrats,” said Lewis. “Regardless, I know these teachers will try to do the best they can for their students.”
After denying teachers and paraprofessionals their contractual 4 percent cost of living increase, citing a budget crisis, CPS then coughed up millions of dollars to campaign for its latest time allocation proposal. The Board offered elementary school teachers a mere 2 percent stipend to work 29 percent longer and promised a one-time $150,000 bonus and other incentives to any principal able to encourage staff to vote in favor of a longer school day this year.
