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Chicago Board adopts educator mental-health plan and creates districtwide awareness day
Summary
The Chicago Board of Education adopted two mental-health measures July 8: RS2, establishing a districtwide Mental Health Awareness Day, and RS1, an educator mental-health plan amended to require development with CPS educators and negotiation with union representatives. Both measures passed by recorded votes.
The Chicago Board of Education’s agenda review committee on July 8 approved two measures aimed at strengthening mental-health supports for students and staff.
In separate electronic votes, the board adopted RS2, establishing a districtwide Mental Health Awareness Day, with 16 ayes, 0 nays and RS1, a districtwide educator mental-health plan, which passed after the board adopted an amendment requiring the framework "be developed in collaboration with CPS educators and negotiated with the union representatives of the affected employees." The amended RS1 passed with 17 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstentions after an earlier recorded vote on the amendment showed 16 ayes, 1 nay, 0 abstentions.
Board President Sean Hardin framed both items as steps to recognize and systematize mental-health supports across the district, thanking board staff and partners involved in drafting the proposals. During debate, a board member who proposed the amendment said the change would ensure the plan reflects negotiated labor protections and practical input from educators; legal review and labor consultation were discussed on the record.
CEO (superintendent) doctor Macklin King told the board the district is engaged in extensive planning and emphasized that a clear decision is needed soon to support fall operations and staff implementation. "Chicago Public Schools is in full planning mode for the start of the school year," she said, warning that delaying decisions could complicate fall planning.
Union representatives and community advocates who addressed the board during poll participation urged stronger accountability and resources. Vicky Kurzidlow, recording secretary of the Chicago Teachers Union, warned that proposed cuts to staffing would leave students without legally required services and urged state intervention on funding. Several public speakers who work in school mental-health roles asked the district to commit to regular updates on implementation and to include labor partners in finalizing operational details.
The board directed staff to proceed with implementation work consistent with the amended language and to share further legal and operational guidance with members prior to formal roll-out. Next steps noted on the record include continued labor consultations and staff briefings to the board.
