Union leaders and educators urge Chicago Board of Education to settle contract, protect pensions and restore prep time

Chicago — Union leaders, veteran teachers and school nurses told the Chicago Board of Education on March 14 that the district’s FY25 amended budget should fund a fair contract with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), restore preparation time for elementary teachers, preserve school staffing and guarantee pension payments for non‑teacher school workers.

Speakers urged the board to use newly available local revenue to settle outstanding contract issues and avoid cuts that would “send us reeling backwards.” The public hearing is part of two consecutive days of FY25 amended budget hearings leading up to a board vote.

The concerns centered on four recurring themes: (1) contract settlement elements CTU leaders say remain unresolved, including additional prep time and staffing; (2) pay and retention for veteran teachers and paraprofessionals; (3) alleged racial disparities in the REACH evaluation system; and (4) preserving the Municipal Employees’ Annuity and Benefit Fund (MEABF) pension payments for non‑teacher school workers.

"Budgets are moral documents. They reflect our promises, our priorities," said Crystal Williams, recording secretary of the Chicago Teachers Union. Williams, who identified herself as a longtime paraprofessional and union officer, told the board the pension payment is "a promise and an obligation made to workers, thousands of workers who run the schools every day." She added, "Stop playing games with our pension."

CTU field representatives, classroom teachers and retired educators described how lost prep time, shrinking librarian and clinician staffing, and stagnant veteran pay have harmed instruction and retention. "Our educators need that time back," said Lenore Torres, who identified herself as both a CPS parent and a teacher. Jed Shanker, a CTU field representative and former CPS elementary teacher, pressed the board to secure "real movement" on elementary prep time, arguing that the work teachers do outside class is not optional preparation but essential labor.

Several speakers raised REACH evaluation outcomes. Joyce Jefferson, a retired educator, cited Illinois State Board of Education data and called for changes to reduce disparate impact. "A flawed evaluation system has real consequences," she said.

School nurses and health staff also asked the board to prioritize daily nursing coverage. "A nurse in every school every day can make a difference," said Dennis Kosuth, a CPS nurse.

Not all public commenters pushed the same remedy. Nelson Giroux, chief public affairs officer at the Chicago Public Education Fund, told the board he recommended rejecting the amendment as drafted unless the district can present a more comprehensive financial plan that avoids long‑term borrowing or restructuring that could cause future school‑level cuts. Giroux said the district faces a roughly $186 million shortfall for the current year if certain resources are used for labor settlements rather than other operating obligations.

Several elected officials who addressed the board urged cooperation between the city and CPS. Alderman Jason Irvin, chair of the City Council Budget Committee, described ongoing city support — including TIF surplus contributions and other assistance — and urged the board to work with the city to honor commitments. State Representative Lilian Jimenez, speaking by phone, asked the board to "reaffirm its commitment to ensure that the payment is made in full without delay."

Board members asked clarifying questions during the presentation segment that followed public comment, but the hearing produced no final vote. CEO Pedro Martinez and CPS negotiators told the board they are continuing bargaining talks with CTU and other units.

The board will consider the FY25 amended budget, which includes a remaining $139 million in TIF surplus the city appropriated, at its upcoming meeting. Public commenters and union leaders said that money should be applied to contracts and protections for school staff — and that failure to secure funds could prompt a strike vote by CTU leadership.

The public hearing segment closed with a reminder from board staff that written comments related to the FY25 amended budget remain accepted through March 17, 2025.