2 days Ago By Chicago Tribune
I am a Chicago Public Schools principal of 24 years, former assistant principal, CPS teacher and daughter of two CPS principals. I’ve worked on the South and North sides. CPS is part of my DNA, and I’m proud of the progress the district has made to improve student performance and outcomes over the past two decades and, in particular, the past three years.
CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova bring the perfect combination of skills and experience needed for a $10 billion pre-K-12 public system. The CEO has financial expertise and prior top roles in other school districts, while the chief education officer is a former chief officer of schools and teacher. Together, they bring a laser-sharp focus on improving teaching and learning for the more than 325,000 students across our city.
Martinez has harnessed technology to improve district communications and provide excellent customer service. In addition to making hundreds of school visits each school year, Martinez and Chkoumbova and their senior leaders lead virtual principal meetings every two weeks to provide updates and listen to principals’ concerns. They either respond with a solution immediately in our meetings or ensure a timely follow-up from the appropriate department.
We’ve never had this level of communication before, and it makes all the difference. Finally, Martinez has prioritized working with families. He understands that when our school leaders, teachers, staff, parents and students work together, success is guaranteed for each student and our system and city.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s attempt to remove this CEO and, most likely, our chief education officer would mean losing the trust of hundreds of principals and, subsequently, teachers, staff and parents. It jeopardizes the momentum we’ve made over the past three years. Graduation rates continue to improve.
Our big districtwide gains in literacy and smaller but important increases in math have been well documented. Lesser known, though, is the importance of two experienced leaders who continue to push a complex and challenging system toward excellence. Why would Johnson destroy that? We don’t need a revolution in CPS.
We need the stability provided by our current leadership. — Christine Munns, principal, Sauganash Elementary School, Chicago I am among the more than 400 principals and assistant principals who signed a letter in support of Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez. The fact that so many school leaders — plus more than 40 aldermen — signed a letter to keep this CEO speaks to his leadership, his integrity and his results.
It also speaks to the fact that we don’t want or need another change at the top during these critical times of contract negotiations. Martinez is our ninth CEO since 2009. Nine CEOs, including interim leaders, in 15 years.
Removing the CEO at this time means less guidance and support for principals and teachers until the lack of support soon hits the very people the system is built to serve — the more than 325,000 CPS students. I’m not sure why there’s a need to disrupt the school system yet again. Under Martinez and his team, students are showing progress.
CPS has seen nationally highlighted increases on standardized tests for two consecutive years and has continued an upward trajectory of early college credits and credentials, graduation rates and scholarships. It is my hope the appointed school board members will hold off any efforts for change in CPS leadership until they take the time to speak directly to school leaders and hear how any decision to remove Martinez will impact our ability to lead our schools. — Tara Shelton, principal, South Loop Elementary School, Chicago Regarding “Defense argues Crimo denied access to attorney” (Nov.
17), why does the Tribune continue to waste ink reporting the antics of Robert Crimo III? These articles just feed into his need for notoriety, while ignoring the suffering of the families of those who were killed or injured during Highland Park’s Independence Day Parade in 2022. Crimo’s reaction in the photo that accompanies the article mocks the very system he uses to delay his trial. Lawyers seeking exemptions and presenting mitigating factors should not be making headlines.
This case has dragged on in the courts for more than two years, stirring up the sadness of those affected by the events of that day and preventing families from gaining closure. — Mary Ann Kehl, Wilmette Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney’s Nov. 18 op-ed ( “Fixing Tier 2 pensions would create a fair retirement for Illinois workers” ) just breaks my heart.
Imagine having to work until age 67 to earn a lifetime pension that is not subject to state income tax and that, under the Illinois Constitution, can neither be diminished not impaired. How unfair! The Illinois public pension system is indeed badly broken and needs major repair — if not a complete overhaul — but not in the direction Devaney urges. For too long, Illinois taxpayers have been soaked to reward underperforming employees in make-work jobs that don’t provide genuine public service or yield meaningful results.
Illinois has more governmental units than any other state in the country, each with administrative offices, human resources personnel and a myriad of other positions. Yet whenever taxpayers urge that nearly empty schools or one-school districts be closed or combined, public sector unions object. Illinois even has both a comptroller’s office and a treasurer’s officer, which could be combined.
Illinois’ overly generous public pension system has been financially out of whack for years. The current systems is simply unsustainable for new workers going forward. Illinois public sector unions should be willing to meet taxpayers halfway by allowing the combining of governmental units and elimination of unnecessary positions over time.
This would help create a leaner, meaner, more efficient government moving forward in which all Illinois citizens could be justifiably proud. Otherwise, future government employees and their unions that continue to insist on filling unnecessary slots will simply have to suffer a later or diminished retirement, just like the rest of us. Instead of fighting over whether taxpayers should constantly pay more or government employees should have to settle for less, let’s all work together to solve this looming crisis rather than seeking to perpetuate business as usual! — David Applegate, Huntley I am a climate voter, and with more than 60% of all voters expressing concern about our warming atmosphere, I was disappointed that it was rarely mentioned by the presidential candidates.
The elections are over, and I understand that the economy played a large part in the outcome. So, I would like to highlight the fact that ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods is urging President-elect Donald Trump to stay in the Paris climate agreement. I am hoping a majority of citizens will agree, and some of you will urge your senators and representatives to consider this for economic reasons.
We can agree that climate change is happening. We don’t have to agree as to whether it’s natural or human-caused. Climate emergencies cost the United States $93 billion in damages in 2023, and this year will be another expensive one.
Money can be better spent on mitigation. Heat extremes also impact the economy by reducing the productivity of construction and agricultural workers. By remaining a leader in international climate negotiations such as those happening now at COP29, we can secure U.
S. economic benefits by producing and manufacturing products and materials that are in high demand for the energy transition that is happening worldwide. Remaining a member of the Paris agreement also gives us a voice at the table.
For these reasons, I join Woods in asking Trump not to pull the U.S. out of the Paris agreement.
I hope other readers will do the same. — Dorelle Ackermann, Mokena, Illinois Note to readers: As part of our annual holiday tradition, we’d like to hear from you about what is making you feel thankful this year. Sincere thoughts only, please.
Email us a letter of no more than 400 words to [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and your city or town.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected] ..
