The upcoming election in Chicago marks a historic shift as residents will elect the president of the Chicago Board of Education for the first time. Previously appointed by the mayor, this position holds significant influence over the school board’s operations, overseeing an agenda that includes decisions about contracts and the district’s billion-dollar budget. The board manages 626 schools, serving approximately 304,000 students in the nation’s third-largest school district.
The Candidates
Three candidates are vying for the presidency:
- Jessica Biggs: A former Chicago Public Schools principal and a current board member, Biggs represents District 6B, which stretches from the Loop to Englewood. She is also involved with the Southwest Organizing Project.
- Hilario Dominguez: Previously a special education teacher and a Chicago Teachers Union organizer, Dominguez has served as the union’s deputy political director. He played a significant role in the 2023 mayoral campaign for Brandon Johnson.
- Victor Henderson: A civil litigation attorney, Henderson has experience on the board of Urban Prep Academies, a charter school network.
Jessica Biggs’ Platform
Top Priorities:
- Focus on student achievement by establishing clear district goals.
- Promote a governance-focused board with goal-setting and budget alignment.
- Develop a recovery plan for long-term financial stability.
School Closings: Biggs opposes mass school closures and advocates for local control in school building decisions.
State Funding: Biggs criticizes dependence on unallocated state funds, calling for fiscal responsibility.
Property Tax Levy: Biggs supports relieving local tax burdens through efficient operations and advocating for fair state education funding.
Hilario Dominguez’s Platform
Top Priorities:
- Implement universal full-day pre-K for children starting at age three.
- Improve school food quality and rebid contracts for more effective solutions.
- Provide paid work opportunities for high school students.
School Closings: Dominguez believes community schools anchor neighborhoods and opposes closures as disinvestment.
State Funding: Dominguez stresses the importance of advocating for state-owed finances to address budget shortfalls.
Property Tax Levy: Dominguez sees raising taxes as a necessary option to avoid cuts, emphasizing fair state contributions over local tax reliance.
Victor Henderson’s Platform
Top Priorities:
- Enhance reading and math performance by analyzing and expanding successful programs.
- Reintroduce fiscal discipline and transparency within schools.
- Ensure all students, regardless of location, receive a quality education.
School Closings: Henderson believes closures should be rare and require a strategic, transparent approach.
State Funding: Henderson stresses the need for reliable state funding to avoid financially speculative budgeting.
Property Tax Levy: Henderson advocates for fiscal transparency and results before considering tax increases.