Shai/Chi Arts community presses board to preserve conservatory model as staffing cuts loom

Dozens of Shai/Chi Arts students, teaching artists, parents and alumni delivered emotional public testimony on May 28, urging the Chicago Board of Education to preserve the school’s conservatory model as CPS transitions the school to district management.

Gabby San German, a teaching artist at Chi Arts, told the board that a reduced model proposed by CPS is “not sustainable for teaching artists and will lead to a high turnover rate,” and warned that the lack of consistent time and pay undermines educational quality. Several teachers and staff described precipitous staffing reductions — presenters said the district discussed cutting up to 75% of current staff at Shai Arts — and argued those cuts would undercut the school’s unique pre‑professional training.

Student speakers described the program’s role in their education and career pathways. Elena Colmenero, a senior at Jones College Prep (speaking in the earlier ACES segment), and multiple Chi Arts students said cutting conservatory hours and replacing teaching artists with centralized resident artists would take away training that many low‑income students cannot access elsewhere.

Teachers highlighted partnerships with cultural institutions and said working professional teaching artists provide skills that are central to the school’s mission. Several speakers urged the board to collaborate with the school community and philanthropic partners to maintain the current model or to secure comparable funding that sustains teaching artists’ roles.

The board received the comments during the public participation segment. Superintendent King and INI staff have said they will continue conversations with school leadership and community members as they refine a district‑managed model.