Shared Facility Policy

Why the Policy Is Changing

The adoption of the Shared Facility Policy in 2005 marked a strategic shift toward a small-school model, allowing the District to repurpose large-scale legacy buildings for multiple institutions. By establishing a unified vision and formalizing centralized logistical support, this policy provided the framework necessary for separate schools to coexist effectively within a single site.

A New Policy Framework

While the 2005 policy served as a starting point, it is no longer sufficient for today’s operational needs. To address these gaps, the District is modernizing our approach to fulfill new state requirements and better support our school communities through the following key drivers:

1. Legislative Mandate: Under Illinois law (105 ILCS 5/26A-20), school districts must now review and revise shared facility policies every two years
2. Modernizing Campus Management: The current 21-year-old policy lacks the precision needed for today’s schools. The revision will introduce clear Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and faster conflict resolution timelines.
3. Equity and Efficiency: By using our buildings efficiently, we can channel more of our resources directly into the classrooms and programs where our students thrive.

Our Vision for the Future

We are approaching this policy revision with several goals in mind:

• Ensure Equitable Access: Guarantee that every child in Chicago has access to high-quality, joyful, and rigorous learning environments.
• Address Enrollment Trends: Maintain vibrant school communities across District, charter, and contract schools even as enrollment shifts.
• Improve the experience of school leaders working within a shared facility
• Create better systems and structures to ensure students in shared facilities have the supports they need to thrive.

Engagement Process

We are committed to building an inclusive engagement process rooted in authentic co-design. By centering the voices of those closest to our shared facilities, we are building a modern framework that ensures every co-located campus remains a rigorous, joyful, and equitable environment for learning.

Community Feedback Sessions

We are excited to invite CPS students, families, and community members to feedback sessions dedicated to the development of the new Shared Facility Policy for co-located schools. As this policy is currently being drafted, stakeholder insights are critical to ensuring the final version is practical, inclusive, and effective across all campuses.

These sessions will:

• Capture diverse perspectives from parents, teachers/staff, students and other school stakeholders from schools that are currently co-located
• Introduce the core components and the vision behind the new policy
• Facilitate a think-tank environment to identify improvements and capture ideas for policy updates

By the end of these sessions, we aim to have a detailed collection of stakeholder feedback and ideas rooted in their experience in a co-located school. Your input will be directly used to edit, refine, and strengthen Shared Policy updates.

Session Details