Act on the Facts!
Don’t Destroy Chicago’s Beneficial Local School Council Decision Making at 550 Schools, Based on a Conflict at One School

• Illinois has nearly 900school boards that are made up of elected citizens who set educational policy and hire a school superintendent on a contract.

• Chicago’s more than 550 elected Local School Councils have some of the keypowers that school boards exercise in the rest of Illinois, including the power to select their principal to serve under a four-year contract.

• Chicago’s elected LSCs consist of six parents, two community representatives, two teachers, the principal, and (in high schools) a student.

• Recently, the LSC at Curie High School voted not to renew the contract of the school’s principal. The LSC’s decision has generated a major public controversy. The principal has requested arbitration by an independent arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association, and that process is moving forward.

• The LSC’s decision can be reversed if the arbitrator rules that the LSC’s decision was “arbitrary and capricious.” This arbitration process was established by the General Assembly after much debate in 1999.

• Then Illinois Senator Barack Obama actively supported the arbitration process, which gives the finaldecisionto a truly independent arbitrator.

• Chicago’s Mayor Daley has asked that the Illinois General Assembly rush to judgment by giving Chicago’s Central Board the righttoreverse the principal contract renewal decisions of all LSCs.  If adopted, this legislation would cut the heart out of Local School Councils and the community voice in improving our schools and eliminate the role of a truly independent arbitrator.

• The General Assembly would be applying a clear double standard.  Would the General Assembly eliminate critical rights for 900 Illinois school boards in the state based on a controversy about one school board?  Look at the evidence about the effectiveness of Local School Councils across the city before considering this power grab.

• Parent and community LSC members are significantly better educated than the average Illinois adult. Thirty-one percent of LSC members have a bachelor’s degree, compared with 21% of Illinois adults. Thirty-two percent have some college, compared with 25% of Illinois adults. Only 13% lack a high school diploma, compared with 24% of Illinois adults.

• Based on detailed ratings of LSC effectiveness, about 55% of LSCS were judged   to be “high functioning,” 30% to be “performing well but need support,” and 10%-15% as having “serious problems,” ranging from inactivity to sustained conflict.  The strong base of effective LSCs indicates the needto strengthen this valuable resource, not to gut LSCs.

• The average LSC meets more than once a month, nearly always has a quorum, and has three or more active committees.  The average parent or community member spends 11 hours per month volunteering at the school, in addition to LSC duties.

• Across Chicago, LSC members must protect their right to select and renew principal contracts. It is in the best interest of the local school community of parents, residents, educators, and businesses to protect this right.

• Call members of the House and Senate Education Committee and tell them: NO LEGISLATION TO CHANGE PRINCIPAL SELECTION!Remind them about the arbitration process they already put in place. And tell them how your LSC has worked hard with your school staff to improve student achievement