Keep-at-home mother and former educator Jennifer Custer held a slim lead over veteran educator Michelle N. Pierre within the race to characterize District 1 on the elected faculty board with practically all precincts reporting, in response to outcomes from the Related Press.
Custer, a former assistant principal and suburban union chief was endorsed by the Chicago Academics Union, which strongly helps a neighborhood faculty focus.
However Custer mentioned she is going to equally put money into neighborhood colleges and constitution colleges, although she opposes increasing the constitution faculty system.
Pierre, her opponent, acquired monetary backing from the Illinois Community of Constitution Colleges. However she and Custer ran on similar platforms. Custer couldn’t be reached Tuesday evening.
Each informed WBEZ they supported having sworn Chicago Cops stationed in colleges. They have been united of their opposition to the present board’s transfer away from the college alternative system. And each candidates mentioned they have been followers of Chicago Public Colleges CEO Pedro Martinez and that they needed him to remain on regardless of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s efforts to oust him.
As well as, each Custer and Pierre have been against short-term borrowing to cowl CPS working prices.
Their key distinction lay of their stance on elevating the property tax levy to the utmost allowed by state legislation every year. The levy is how a lot income CPS needs to boost via property taxes. CPS every year can increase the levy by 5% or the Client Worth Index, whichever is much less. This yr that fee was 3.4%. Custer supported elevating the levy, whereas Pierre didn’t.
Custer’s marketing campaign guarantees embody build up bilingual applications throughout CPS and hiring extra bilingual lecturers to satisfy the wants of the Latino kids who make up 53% of District 1. Sustaining faculty buildings throughout the CPS system can also be excessive on Custer’s record of priorities.
