9:00 am, Wednesday, March 22: Press conference outlining the importance of Chicago Public Schools developing a Facilities Master Plan centered around the voices of parents, students, educators and the community.
Location: 42 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60602
CHICAGO—On Wednesday, CPS educators, environmental justice advocates, students, and the community will hold a press conference urging CPS to keep its promise and ensure that all the city public schools are healthy, climate resilient and well-resourced enough to prepare students for the 21st Century. With far too many public schools located in polluted sections of the city and serving the most vulnerable communities, CPS students are facing the double whammy of disinvestment and inequity.
Wednesday morning’s press conference comes just months before the 10-Year Facilities Master Plan is due to city leaders and residents.
To uplift our city’s public schools, educators and parents alike are urging CPS to do it right and make sound investments in green school buildings deeply rooted in the sustainable community school model. This local engagement strategy centers the community’s needs and creates and coordinates opportunities with its public school to accelerate student success.
As lead pipes, asbestos, PCB, outdated HVAC systems and lead paint continue occupying the classrooms and school buildings where our students learn, grow and play, the 10-year facilities master plan should be more than just a paperweight. The plan should spark a robust conversation in the city. It should create a real roadmap for our city’s schools, including revolutionizing our school buildings with proper Career Technical Education facilities, solar panels, heat pumps and necessary renovations.
With an infusion of federal investments from the American Rescue Plan, additional dollars from Springfield and agreement from the public, this is not a conversation about resources but one about the will of the Chicago Board of Education. This is why educators have been laser-focused on changing the leadership in Chicago’s city hall.
Of the two mayoral candidates, only Brandon Johnson has a plan that attempts to address the cumulative impacts of environmental racism on Chicago’s communities and commits to green schools, a CTE corridor and bike infrastructure that will make all of us healthier and safer.
| WHAT: | Press Conference: Demanding CPS Create a Community-centered 10-Year Facilities Master Plan |
|---|---|
| WHEN: | Wednesday, March 22, 2023, 9:00 am |
| WHERE: | Chicago Board of Education 42 West Madison Street Chicago, IL 60602 |
| WHO: | CTU CPS Member People for Community Recovery Southeast Environmental Task Force |
