Chicago School Board Elections Feature Diverse Candidates

Chicago's school board elections exhibit a stark division between candidates supported by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and those backed by pro-charter school groups, highlighting ongoing debates over school choice versus neighborhood schools. In District 10, candidates are split on prioritizing neighborhood schools and charter schools, with Norington-Reaves receiving significant funding from pro-charter PACs, while Jones is backed by the CTU. Similarly, District 8 features Gutierrez and Ponce, who represent opposing stances on school choice and neighborhood schools, respectively. District 3's race is marked by Dónes, supported by the CTU, advocating for limited standardized testing, while Rivas, backed by charter supporters, favors more testing and school choice. Los Angeles is also experiencing heated elections, with significant attention on Measure US, a $9 billion bond proposal aimed at updating aging school facilities amid debates over declining enrollment and safety improvements. The school board elections in both cities underscore the broader national conversation on educational priorities and funding strategies.