Sarah Karp

Lots of cash and support from the Chicago Teachers Union or the anti-CTU Illinois Network of Charter Schools has stacked the odds against anyone unaffiliated with the union or charter group.

La’Mont Raymond Williams, Miquel Lewis, Therese Boyle and Lanetta M. Thomas are fighting to represent District 9, which includes Beverly and Mount Greenwood on the south and New City and Canaryville on the north.

Lots of cash and support from the Chicago Teachers Union or the anti-CTU Illinois Network of Charter Schools stacked the odds against anyone unaffiliated with the union or the charter group.

All six board members the mayor selected last month are eligible to remain on the 21-seat board that will take office in January. Johnson could appoint one as president.

Two last races were called Friday for independent candidates in Districts 9 and 10 on the South and Southeast sides.

A resolution during a special Board of Education meeting Thursday will demand that Acero Schools, a charter network of 15 campuses, appear before the board on a yet-to-be-determined date to discuss alternatives to closings.

Una resolución durante una reunión especial de la Junta de Educación el jueves exigirá que las Escuelas Acero, una red de escuelas chárter de 15 campus, comparezcan ante la junta en una fecha aún por determinar para discutir alternativas a los cierres.

The proposed closings have led to fierce protests from students, parents and staff who are hoping for Acero to reverse course or CPS to provide a solution.

Facing declining enrollment and rising labor costs, Acero Schools says it has to close seven of its 15 campuses next June. But the charter network also has tens of millions of dollars in the bank.

Vision 2030 includes plans for keeping students safe, attracting high-quality educators, enhancing postsecondary success and improving how we evaluate schools.