Chicago Public Schools Kicks Off the 2024 Local School Council Election Season
21 September 2023
Virtual Event Encourages Parents, Community Members, Educational Leaders, and Students to Serve on Local School Councils
CHICAGO — Today, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is inviting families, community members, educators, advocates, and students to a virtual kick-off event for the 2024 Local School Council (LSC) election season. The event, which takes place at 6 p.m. tonight, will share information about how to run for an LSC position, the benefits of joining an LSC, and the roles and responsibilities of LSC members.
2024 LSC Election Virtual Kick-Off Event (Virtual)
- Date: Thursday, September 21, 2023
- Time: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- RSVP Information: cps.edu/lscregistration (By completing this form, you will ensure that a meeting link is sent to you approximately 30 minutes before the event begins.)
- Languages: Spanish interpretation and American Sign Language interpretation will be provided.
LSCs work to support the academic progress, financial stability and integrity of District schools. Elected LSC members are dedicated volunteer school leaders who approve budgets, select principals, renew principal contracts, evaluate a principal’s professional performance, and approve the school-based academic plan. LSC alumni include civic leaders, elected officials, and members of the Chicago Board of Education.
“LSC members play an important role in the success of our District schools,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “We were proud to have record participation in our Local School Councils last year and we are committed to continuing to work with families, school leaders and members of our community to raise awareness and increase participation in this important democratic process in every neighborhood.”
During the 2022-23 school year, CPS had a record-breaking number of candidates apply to join Local School Councils – receiving 6,145 candidate applications – including incredible participation from sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students who were able to run for newly-created student positions.
CPS achieved record-breaking participation by prioritizing community engagement through more than 100 public engagement sessions held in partnership with local community organizations and LSCs to promote candidacy and the election that took place during the 2022-23 school year. The District also works to support schools in need of additional members by working with principals on member recruitment. This includes targeted marketing strategies in areas of historical absences and working with external and internal partners to spread the word about LSC vacancies.
LSC members are elected every two years by parents, guardians, students, CPS school staff, and community members based on the student’s school of attendance, the employee’s school of employment, or the community member’s residential address. Community members can use the LSC election map to find where they are eligible to vote. Individuals who are interested in running for an LSC position can begin applying on Monday, October 16, 2023 by submitting their application here.
For more information or to ask questions, visit cps.edu/lsc or contact the Office of Local School Council Relations at 773-553-1400 or LSCRelations@cps.edu.