LSC membership is a reflection of engaged and empowered parent, community, student, and educational leaders. It is through LSCs that parents are given a unique opportunity to have a voice at the decision-making table and engage with community members, educators, students, and other parents, ensuring an equitable education for all students.
Quick Facts
We currently have 508 Local School Councils. They are made up of parents, community residents, school staff, and principals. There are 477 “elected” LSCs and 31 “appointed” LSCs:
- Traditional LSCs
- Appointed Local School Councils
- Appointed Local School Councils: Boards of Governors
Composition of Traditional LSC (LSC):
- The Principal
- 6 parents
- 2 community representatives
- 2 teacher representatives
- 1 Non-teacher representative
- 3 student representative (high school)
- (*Starting July 1, 2022) 1 student representative for schools serving up to 8th grade
Appointed LSCs (ALSC):
- The Principal
- 6 parents
- 2 community representatives
- 2 teacher representatives
- 2 advocates
- 1 student representative (high school)
*The composition of ALSCs may vary from the list above.
Appointed LSCs: Boards of Governors (BOGs)
- The Principal
- 6 parents
- 2 community representatives
- 2 teacher representatives
- 2 advocates
- 1 JROTC instructor
- 1 student representative (Cadet Battalion Commander or Senior Cadet)
Brief Historical Background:
1979 - CPS system goes bankrupt; School Finance Authority established.
1985 - Legislation establishes statewide school accountability.
1987 - CPS endures a 19 day school strike.
- Mayor Harold Washington convenes Education Summit.
1988 - Chicago School Reform Act passes;
- Over 500 Local School Councils created, subdistrict councils, School Board Nominating Commission, and Mayor-appointed interim board.
- Shifts resources to schools, including State Chapter 1 funds.
- Mandates school improvement plans.
1989 - October: Election of first LSC
- 17,256 people run for seats.
- 312,000 people cast their ballots.
- 6,000 members elected to serve on LSCs.
- Nominating Commission nominates permanent 15-member board.
1990-91 - LSC voting process declared unconstitutional.
- Legislature enacts law creating new LSC election process.
1993 - CPS’ budget does not balance; schools do not open on time.
- Massive parent and community protests.
- Court intervenes to open schools.
- Budget balanced by issuing bonds and taking part of State Chapter 1 money, teachers’ pension fund, and SFA reserve fund.
1994 - Election dates changed to spring report card pick-up day.
1995 - Legislation restructures CPS system.