During the recent Board of Education meeting, concerns were raised by parents regarding the budget approval process at Inter American Magnet School. A parent representative highlighted that the principal submitted a budget without proper consultation with teachers, parents, or the Local School Council (LSC), which they argued is a violation of the Illinois school code.

The parent, speaking for the third time on this issue, emphasized that the LSC's role in approving the budget has not been honored, undermining the trust between the school administration and the community. They clarified that the request is not for additional funding but for a budget that reflects input from all stakeholders and aligns with the school's mission.

The speaker urged CEO Martinez and the Board of Education to rectify the situation, stressing that failure to adhere to established policies and state regulations fosters mistrust and contradicts democratic principles within the school system. The meeting also featured Carolina Barreta Toon, a parent of two children at the school, who joined virtually to express her concerns.

The ongoing dialogue underscores the critical need for transparency and collaboration in the budgetary process to ensure that the voices of parents and educators are respected and integrated into decision-making.