Dear CPS Partners,
As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and partnership, we are sharing a summary of our monthly Chicago Board of Education meeting. Our goal is to keep you informed about the key moments, decisions, and discussions that shape our district’s priorities and ensure that you have timely insight into how these conversations connect to our shared work on behalf of students. Today’s highlights include:
- A report on Class of 2026 accomplishments, including a graduation rate of 83.4%
- Ratification of a new labor agreement with UNITE HERE Local 1, representing CPS’ dedicated and hardworking nutrition services staff.
- Details about CPS’ advocacy campaign in Springfield, and how parents, educators, staff, and community members can get involved
- Key District leadership appointments
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of Chicago Public Schools. We remain committed to keeping you informed and working together in service of our students, families, and communities. Read the recap below for more on today’s meeting.
With gratitude,
Dr. Macquline King
Superintendent/CEO
Chicago Public Schools
Summary of the October 22, 2026 Chicago Board of Education Meeting:
Celebrating Milestones and Achievements by the CPS Class of 2026
One of the most exciting highlights from this month’s Board meeting was the celebration of the milestones and achievements of the CPS Class of 2026. You can view the full presentation here. Highlights include:
- An 83.4% four-year graduation rate. Over the past quarter-century, the CPS graduation rate has doubled.
- A college enrollment rate of 70%, outpacing the national average of 63%. CPS’ college persistent rate of 78% also exceeds the national average.
- 57.2% of graduates earned at least one early college or career credential, giving students a head start on their postsecondary path.
- Nearly $3 billion in scholarships earned, saving students money as they pursue their degrees and certifications
CPS held an event at Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center in Albany Park featuring CPS alumni celebrating these achievements. Read the coverage from Chalkbeat here.
UNITE HERE Local 1 Labor Agreement
The Board ratified a historic multi-year labor agreement reached with UNITE HERE Local 1, representing CPS lunchroom staff. The four-year contract guarantees that all lunchroom staff will earn at least $21 per hour, with additional wage increases recognizing long-serving staff members who feed and nurture CPS students every day.
Springfield Advocacy Campaign
As part of her remarks, Superintendent/CEO Dr. Macquline King detailed CPS’ continued advocacy with the State of Illinois for additional funding. CPS is currently funded at just 70% of what the state’s own formula considers to be “adequate.”
In addition to frequent trips to Springfield this year and a series of targeted meetings with legislators this fall, CPS is also spearheading an intensive effort around the veto session in November and December, engaging CPS families to bolster the District’s year-long advocacy campaign for additional funding.
To get involved with this effort, please visit cps.edu/advocacy and please share this webpage with your networks.
Principal Appreciation Month
In recognition of Principal Appreciation Month, Dr. King and Chief Education Officer Dr. Karime Asaf celebrated the dedication and creative leadership of CPS principals, inviting several to be honored for their unique contributions and outstanding programming to improve school culture and student outcomes, including:
- July Cyrwus – Lorca Elementary School
- Louis Davis – Clara Barton Elementary School
- Edwina Thompson – Lane Tech College Prep High School
- Jammie Poole – Marshall Metropolitan High School
- Scott Scherquist – Ariel Community Academy
- Javier Arriola-Lopez – Rachel Carson Elementary School
Black Student Union Conference
Dr. King highlighted the success of the District’s first-ever Black Student Union Conference on October 21, which brought together students and allies from across Chicago to connect, share experiences, elevate student voice, and celebrate their identities. The conference was entirely student-led, reflecting CPS's deep commitment to ensuring student perspectives directly shape the District's future.
AI and Screen Time
Alexander Zalar, Principal of Prussing Elementary School, provided an update on the District's ongoing work around AI and screen time, highlighting that CPS was one of the first Districts to adopt formal AI guidance, and that the State of Illinois has cited CPS's approach as a model for other school districts statewide. Learn more at cps.edu/AI.
Community Empowerment & Self-Determination
Dr. King emphasized the importance of empowering communities to help shape the future of their schools, particularly in neighborhoods experiencing declining enrollment, reflecting the Five-Year Strategic Plan’s three core pillars of students, schools, and communities. Leaders from the Greater Bronzeville community (Pastor Michael Neal and Cilvia Osbourne of Brighter Star) and the Austin community (Claybourne Wade of Austin CAC, Natasha Walker of Project Exploration, and Blaire Flowers of Austin CAC) shared their local aspirations and school planning initiatives, demonstrating collective leadership to shape educational experiences alongside local families.
Financial Sustainability Working Group
Looking ahead to FY28 budget planning, Dr. King announced the formation of a Financial Sustainability Working Group focused on addressing the District’s recurring structural budget shortfalls and charting a path toward long-term financial stability. Bringing together CPS leadership, labor representatives, parents, educators, elected officials, and financial experts, the group will examine revenues and expenditures to break the cycle of recurring budget crises and build long-term fiscal stability with authentic community participation.
Election Day & Political Activity Guidance
Dr. King issued a reminder that schools will be closed on Tuesday, November 3, for Election Day—a historic milestone as Chicago voters elect the full Board of Education. Dr. King reiterated that CPS remains strictly politically neutral and does not endorse candidates or ballot measures. CPS has strong prohibitions on political activity inside school buildings or on school grounds, as well as the use of school resources to promote political activity. Violations can be reported to the CPS Ethics Office (ethicsinquiries@cps.edu) or the CPS Inspector General (inspectorgeneral@cpsoig.org).
Interactive Youth Wellness Fair
On Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11, a non-attendance day), CPS will host its first-ever Student Mental Wellness Fair at Westinghouse College Prep for students in grades 7–12. Designed in response to direct student feedback requesting enhanced mental health support, the event will provide practical tools, strategies, and wellness resources. Students are encouraged to sign up at cps.edu/insideoutregistration.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on Monday, November 2 (no classes for students). Dr. Asaf strongly encouraged families to schedule appointments with their children's teachers to discuss academic progress, identify growth areas, and strengthen school-home partnerships.
Early Childhood Education Expansion
CPS recently completed its expansion of pre-k to all Chicago neighborhoods — a historic milestone for pre-k access for the District. The Board voted to advance a resolution directing CPS to continue exploring pre-k options — especially for 3-year-olds — at both CPS and with local providers.
Key Leadership Appointments
The Chicago Board of Education approved the appointment of two District leaders:
Evangelina Covarrubias: Chief Equity Officer
A Chicago native from Little Village and a former English learner advocate, Evangelina Covarrubias previously served as Acting Chief Equity Officer and co-authored CPS’s foundational Equity Framework after engaging over 5,000 stakeholders. Her leadership within the Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education (OMME) supported nearly 70,000 English Learners across the District. She holds degrees from UIC, Concordia University, and Chicago State University.
Marilou Rebolledo, Ed.D.: Chief Teaching & Learning Officer
Bringing more than 30 years of educational service to the role, Dr. Rebolledo previously served as a National Board-Certified Teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Network 2 Chief of Schools. A Cahn Fellow and licensed executive coach, Dr. Rebolledo focuses on expanding rigorous, joyful, and equitable curriculum standards across all grade levels. She holds degrees from UIC, Governors State University, and Loyola University Chicago, and is a proud CPS parent.
The Board also approved the appointment of the following Network Chiefs:
- Peter Auffant — Network 1
- Fernando Kim — Network 2
- Kelly Mest — Network 15
Keep Up With CPS
For more on everything happening at CPS, please bookmark cps.edu/media to see the latest community updates, blog posts, and press releases from CPS.
We also encourage you to follow us on social media — on Facebook at Chicago Public Schools, at @chipubschools on X and Instagram, and at youtube.com/@ChiPubSchools.