ChiArts parents, teachers and students urge CPS to fully fund conservatory model and protect staff
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Summary
Multiple ChiArts teachers, parents and alumni told the board that cuts or a rushed transition into the CPS portfolio threaten the school's full‑day conservatory model, teacher retention, and student cohorts; they urged a formal commitment to retain staff and ensure program continuity.
Speakers representing Chicago High School for the Arts said ChiArts is not an enrichment program but a four‑year conservatory requiring full‑day funding and staff continuity. Greg Gray Sendako said reductions would ‘‘dismantle a nationally recognized model’’ and asked trustees to preserve the school’s specialized departments and mentorship pathways.
Teachers and parents echoed that the model’s depth—three hours per day of graded, assessed ensemble instruction—cannot be replicated by after‑school programs and that a rushed transition into CPS management risks losing bilingual teachers and other staff who sustain the program. Megan Peetz and Jennifer Peppers asked the board to commit to retention practices and codify the school day model into CPS portfolio decisions so students can finish the year and graduate with cohorts intact.
Board members acknowledged the testimony and expressed sympathy; some noted that the district is engaging principals and other stakeholders on transitions. No formal vote on ChiArts funding or portfolio status occurred at this meeting. Trustees asked administration to return additional detail on funding scenarios and staff retention commitments before the full board meeting.
