Chicago’s Historic Election for School Board President

Chicago residents have a pivotal opportunity to vote in the first-ever election for the president of the Chicago Board of Education. Unlike previous years, where this position was appointed by the mayor, the choice is now in the hands of the voters. This newly elected position will hold considerable influence, managing the agenda for a 21-member board responsible for key decisions impacting 626 schools and 304,000 students across Chicago, the nation’s third-largest school district.

The Candidates

Three candidates are in the race:

• Jessica Biggs: A former principal and current board member for District 6B. She also directs the Southwest Organizing Project. Her priorities include focusing on student-centered governance, establishing financial stability, and maintaining local control over school building decisions.
• Hilario Dominguez: A former special education teacher turned organizer. He advocates for universal pre-K, better school meals, and work opportunities for high school students. Dominguez opposes more school closings and wants to secure state funding for education.
• Victor Henderson: A seasoned attorney with experience on the board of a charter school network. His focus is on improving academic outcomes, fiscal transparency, and ensuring equal educational opportunities for all students.

Jessica Biggs’ Vision

Jessica Biggs aims to prioritize student learning by setting clear district goals and holding leadership accountable. She advocates for a board that sets targets, enacts aligned policies, responsibly budgets, and assesses leadership against public criteria. She opposes any broad school closures, prioritizing local control over decisions.

Biggs criticized the decision to budget $150 million in state funding that wasn’t assured, suggesting it risked repeating past fiscal mistakes. She aims to reduce reliance on property taxes by urging the state to contribute its fair share to education.

Hilario Dominguez’s Approach

Hilario Dominguez focuses on universal pre-K, revamping school meals, and providing paid work experiences for high schoolers. He views school closings as a consequence of disinvestment, not a financial strategy. He supports budgeting projected state funds to avoid immediate cuts and stresses the need for a fight in Springfield for educational funding.

He is open to raising property taxes only when it prevents layoffs and closures, but believes state funding is the sustainable solution.

Victor Henderson’s Priorities

Victor Henderson wants to measure and expand successful academic programs while promoting fiscal discipline. He is open to considering school closures only after comprehensive evaluations. He believes in safeguarding classroom resources without relying on uncertain state funds.

Henderson thinks the board should not habitually increase property taxes. He believes in securing state funds while demonstrating fiscal responsibility and achieving tangible results before seeking more from local taxpayers.