Accountability, especially in the public sector, is based on the principle of being responsible for one’s actions and is one of the most important elements of a democratic system. “Showing up” is one of the most basic ways to demonstrate responsibility.
Last week, the Chicago City Council held a public hearing to discuss the district’s dire financial situation and budget concerns, including the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, seven outgoing members of the Chicago Board of Education, and Six members of the newly appointed Board of Education were convened. . To his credit, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and his team were in attendance and answered questions for several hours. Sadly, not a single board member decided to attend the board meeting and take responsibility for their role and actions.
Seven outgoing school board members resigned under pressure to approve the high-interest loan and fire Martinez. Perhaps the new members should have considered these actions before agreeing to the appointment. Amid suspicions and speculation, Chicagoans are left wondering what really happened. That is the opposite of proper government accountability.
Chicago Board of Education members must make policy decisions for 634 elementary and high schools that impact more than 323,000 CPS students and their families. These same members also make billions of dollars of budget decisions that affect all Chicagoans. This is why Chicagoans deserve more transparency and accountability in the midst of sudden changes to the Chicago Board of Education. At a time when sound fiscal management, pragmatic solutions, and leadership are urgently needed, the board’s “transition” development has only created further uncertainty and instability in the district.
Here’s how Chicagoans can demand more oversight from the Chicago Board of Education.
Gives the City Council the power to compel board members to attend public hearings. An overwhelming majority of councilors (41 out of 50) asked councilors to explain the matter to the city council, but to no avail. Changing the rules and giving the City Council the same subpoena legislative powers that other elected bodies have over the executive branch would be a step in the right direction. This provision would allow City Council members to approve future Chicago Board of Mayor appointments in a manner that enhances the vetting process and ensures accountability, similar to key appointments in the state Legislature and Congress. If an education-related impasse requires the state legislature representing the Chicago area to hold special hearings and create a task force to make recommendations, the Illinois General Assembly and the governor should be involved in the process. Include. Encourage Chicago Board of Education members to increase media exposure. Preventing key decision makers from answering questions from the press or restricting public access to important information is a disservice to the people of Chicago. The measure will take on added significance next month when Chicago voters choose the board’s 10 members. These members are directly accountable to voters. Accountability should apply to appointed members as well. It shows sincere effort in public service. One of the important questions to ask school board candidates is, “How can you be more accountable?” And how can you be more accountable to yourself and your school board colleagues? What specific measures do we need? Enforce the mechanisms in place. I served as an elected member of the Regional School Board Advisory Committee, which advises the Chicago Board of Education on regional school board academic issues. Our advisory committee has asked board members several times to attend meetings and respond to questions about the district’s new five-year plan and the district’s new school funding formula. Members of the Chicago Board of Education never showed up. Incoming school board members should make a greater effort to meet with advisory boards and other high-quality government and education advocates to increase trust and accountability.
As a Civics teacher at CPS, I enjoy teaching the next generation the importance of civic engagement. I also truly believe that they have faith in our democratic institutions. I also believe that holding public officials accountable creates trust in government.
The controversy our city faces on the Chicago Board of Education is a history lesson in accountability. There are many opportunities for everyone involved to make Chicago a better, stronger, and more responsible city.
Froilan Jimenez is a civics teacher in the Chicago Public Schools and a member of the Chicago Teachers Union. He was previously an elected member of the Regional School Council Advisory Committee.
Submit a letter of up to 400 words to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
