Chi Arts staff and teaching artists urge CPS to guarantee jobs, funding as district assumes management
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Summary
Multiple Chi Arts teachers, parents and teaching artists told the Chicago Board of Education that philanthropy cannot sustain the school’s conservatory model and demanded written guarantees on staffing, health coverage and program continuity as CPS takes over management.
Vice President Olga Bautista opened the Chicago Board of Education’s agenda review meeting on Jan. 14, 2026, where a prolonged public comment period centered on the future of the Chicago High School for the Arts (Chi Arts) after the district agreed to assume management.
Megan Riley, a math teacher and department head at Chi Arts, told the board the conservatory model cannot be supported by private philanthropy and urged the district to commit public funds to preserve the school’s pre‑professional arts programming. “Do not expect to be able to support the conservatory model through philanthropy or other external revenue sources,” she said, asking the board to use public funds and to protect teaching artists’ jobs.
Multiple other Chi Arts teachers and teaching artists reiterated that plea. Aaron Brown, a math teacher, said the school’s teaching artists must be offered positions and pathways to licensure when necessary, and asked CPS to communicate employment plans soon so staff can plan for the 2026–27 year. AJ Wester, a long‑time teaching artist, asked whether CPS would fast‑track certification or provide a waiver for artists who lack traditional certification but have professional degrees.
Speakers asked for written guarantees on job offers and uninterrupted health care coverage during the transition from charter management to district employment. Phoebe Peterson, a diverse learners teacher, said educators should not “be penalized for the failures of the Chi Arts board” and asked for contractual protections so the school’s special education and arts programs remain intact.
School community leaders also urged broader protections for other charter transitions. Jen Conant, CTU charter division chair, said the district must structure funding and supports for absorbed schools and urged the board to ensure continuity for staff at schools moving from charter to district management. Diane Castro, CTU financial secretary, and union representatives asked the board to move urgently to secure funding and enforce workers’ rights at both district and charter schools.
The board did not take action on the conservatory funding or staffing demands during the agenda review meeting; staff said the item will be carried to the Jan. 29 regular meeting for formal consideration. The public comments closed before the board proceeded to its scheduled agenda items and closed sessions.
