Jitu Brown
Coverage of Jitu Brown in the Nexus archive.
- Seeking to reverse layoffs, Chicago school board approves budget, assuming more state money will come
Chicago school board approved a revised $10 billion budget to reverse hundreds of school staff layoffs, assuming an additional $150 million in state funding. The vote, influenced by the Chicago Teachers Union and principals union, created uncertainty about meeting payroll deadlines due to legal and financial risks.
- Chicago to cut funding earmarked for schools that replaced police with restorative justice policies
Chicago Public Schools plans to cut funding for 54 high schools that replaced police officers with restorative justice programs, reducing annual funding from $8.7 million to $4 million and staff positions from 80 to 42. The district is also introducing a new framework to expand safety policies districtwide, including social-emotional learning and restorative practices.
- Johnson-aligned Chicago school board members continue push for more funding from Springfield
Chicago Board of Education members aligned with Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union urged Governor JB Pritzker to hold a special legislative session to increase education funding, citing a $700 million deficit in Chicago Public Schools' budget. They advocated for progressive tax policies targeting wealthy individuals and corporations, but legislation for a millionaire's tax stalled in May.
- Chicago school board names members of Black Student Achievement Committee
Chicago school board announced partial members of the Black Student Achievement Committee, formed to oversee the district’s Black Student Success Plan. The committee, selected from 500 applicants, includes community leaders, educators, and administrators, with four additional members to be announced later.