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Legislative Agenda

Section 2-21

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  1. Generally. This Rule sets forth the practices and procedures for setting and pursuing the District’s legislative agenda.
  2. Purpose. The Board will represent the District’s interests in legislative action to promote the welfare of public education in Chicago Public Schools or will direct those interests to be represented through the CEO or a designee. As a public entity, the Board must operate within the bounds of state and federal laws affecting public education. To effectively meet these responsibilities to the public and students of the District, the Board and CEO will work vigorously for the passage of new laws designed to advance the values and goals of our District and community, and for the repeal or modification of existing laws that impede these values and goals. To achieve these goals, the CEO will periodically study, discuss, and weigh the merits of pending legislation for the purpose of establishing the district’s official position. When established, these official positions will be the position of the District in the legislative process.
  3. CEO Responsibilities.
    1. Develop and present to the Board at the January Regular Meeting a legislative agenda for upcoming legislative sessions that is consistent with the furtherance of the District’s strategic plan, goals, and priorities. The legislative agenda may include broad goals and priorities for upcoming legislative sessions and/or specific legislative items. Upon approval of a majority of the Board at a Regular Meeting, these positions will become the official position of the District in the legislative process.
    2. In the cases when the District must respond to unforeseen legislation, which includes legislation that affects the Board’s ability to advance the legislative agenda in c(i) or the general welfare of the District, the Board delegates the responsibility to the Board President and CEO to make a determination as to the District’s position provided the position is not in conflict with the legislative agenda in c(i).
    3. Set aside time with the Board throughout the year to discuss the legislative matters whenever the need arises as determined by the Board President and/or CEO.
    4. Support and work for legislation that promotes quality education within Chicago Public Schools.
    5. Stay informed of pending legislation.
    6. Actively communicate concerns and make the Board’s position known to elected representatives at the local, state, and national levels by regular contact with the local, state, and federal elected officials and entities whose decisions affect the welfare of public education in our District.
    7. Seek adequate funding for schools and full funding for state and federally mandated programs.
    8. Respond appropriately to requests for legislative proposals, comments on legislative proposals, and development of priority positions.
  4. Board Member Responsibilities.
    1. Inform the public of its legislative priorities and outcomes of its legislative efforts annually at a time and means as determined by the Board President.
    2. Designate Board Members to serve as the Board’s legislative representatives with associations and organizations that promote the legislative agendas of public education.
    3. Accept the consensus of the Board with respect to the annual legislative agenda pursuant to this Rule and legislative positions taken by the CEO in pursuit of that agenda.
  5. Oversight and Compliance.
    1. Board Members and the CEO, individually or as members of professional organizations, will not represent positions conflicting with the District’s on legislative matters on behalf of the Board or the District, unless it is made clear that such representation is not the official position of the District.
    2. The Board reserves the right to censure Board Members who are not compliant with this Rule. A censure shall pass with two-thirds full membership of the Board voting in favor.

Rule References

Cross References Board Rule 2-21 was adopted as a new Section at the April 26, 2023 Board Meeting [Board Report 23-0426-RU1].
Public Comment Pursuant to Board Rule 2-6 this Rule [2-21] was subject to Public Comment from 3/17/23-4/17/23 and adopted at the April 26, 2023 Board Meeting [Board Report 23-0426-RU1].

Chicago Board of Education

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