LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL CANDIDATE APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 9

CHICAGO - Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has extended the deadline for residents interested in applying for candidacy in the District’s 2022 Local School Council (LSC) elections. The new filing deadline is Wednesday, March 9 at 3 p.m. At-large community members who reside within the school's attendance area or voting district boundaries, as well as parents, staff, and students in their respective school communities can run for the opportunity to serve as a member on this important school-based council.

LSCs make important decisions about how students will be educated in their respective communities. LSCs approve budgets, select principals, renew principal contracts, evaluate a principal’s professional performance and  approve the school-based academic plan. Voting will take place on April 20 for elementary schools and April 21 for high schools while student polls will take place April 18-19, 2022. New members begin their terms July 1, 2022.

Many local city leaders began their civic engagement as LSC members. This voluntary role offers an individual the opportunity to learn more about how school-based instructional and operational decisions are made and be part of the efforts to improve the teaching and learning climate and culture at a school and our District.

As of today (March 2), 1,269 Local School Council candidate applications have been submitted for the 6,239 positions on councils across 509 schools.

The District has held several dozen LSC application and election overviews, giving potential candidates the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the role from a panel of serving LSC members. To watch one of the recorded sessions, click here on our Local School Councils (LSCs) website page. 

High schools have three student members and - new for this year’s election - students in 6th grade and up may run for a seat on their elementary school council. Student terms are for one year and student LSC members can vote on most measures before the council, including the School’s Continuous Improvement Work Plan (CIWP), textbook selection, filling LSC vacancies, fundraising, and internal account reports. Student members may not vote on personnel matters including principal evaluation,  contracts, and the allocation of teaching and staff resources.

“There is no other platform like the LSC that affords students a seat at the table.” said Rem Johannknecht, a senior at Walter Payton College Preparatory High School and student LSC member. “It's been a great opportunity to vocalize the needs of our peers. As elected representatives of our student body, we have been able to advocate for them inside and outside of their classrooms.” 

To apply, interested applicants can download forms from cps.edu/lsc and submit completed hard copies by 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 9 to the school where they intend to run for office. 

Who Serves on the LSC, Eligibility, How to Apply and Dates of Elections 

LSC members, except for students, serve a two-year term. Student members serve a one-year term. All members must apply or reapply for each term. 

Community Member (2 Members)

• Must reside in the school’s attendance area or voting district boundaries

• Must be at least 17 years old

• Not the parent, step-parent or legal guardian of a child enrolled in the school

• Not employed by the District

Parents (6 parents)

• Biological or adoptive parent, step-parent or legal guardian of a child enrolled in the school

• Not employed by the District

Staff

Teacher (2 Teachers)

• Employed and assigned a majority of duties at the school.

• Staff position must require a teaching certificate

Non-Teacher (1 Staff Member)

• Employed and assigned a majority of duties at the school.

• Staff position must not require a teaching certificate

Students (3/1 member(s) 

High School - Three members

Elementary students 

• One student member 

• Must be in grades 6th and above to run

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