To help inform voters on who’s running for Chicago’s elected school board, the baiduhai education team posed a series of questions to the candidates in each district. These questions ranged from basic information on their background and campaign platform to their stance on several issues facing Chicago Public Schools.
See the answers from Michelle N. Pierre, candidate for elected school board in the 1st District, below.
About the Candidate
Name: Dr. Michelle Pierre
Age: 48
Neighborhood: Montclare
School District: 1
Education: B.A., M.S., M.S., Ed.D
Current Job: Senior executive director for strategic partnerships
Previous Political Experience: Elected to local school council.
Questions and Answers
In the interest of transparency, the candidate’s responses shown here are published as written and have not been edited by the Tribune.
Did you attend Chicago Public Schools or is anyone in your immediate family a CPS student? Yes, an immediate family member.
Have you worked at Chicago Public Schools or another school? What is your background in education?
Yes, I have worked extensively in education, serving as Chief Schools Officer for the LEARN Charter Network in Chicago on the west and south side and Chief Academic Officer for Cleveland Metro Schools. In these roles, I focused on increasing graduation rates, enhancing academic performance, and closing achievement gaps for underserved communities. Additionally, I have served as a principal and teacher for grades K-8, where I pioneered innovative programs such as the first One-Way Spanish Immersion program in Southeast Washington, DC. My 26-year career in education has allowed me to work closely with students, teachers, and families to create data-driven solutions that improve outcomes across diverse populations.
Why are you running for a seat on the Chicago Board of Education?
I am running for a seat on the Chicago School Board because I believe every student deserves a high-quality education, no matter their zip code or background. With my experience in leadership roles, I have seen the potential for transformative change when educational policies are designed and implemented with equity, transparency, and a focus on student outcomes. I want to ensure that Chicago Public Schools prioritizes student success through strategic investment, community engagement, and evidence-based practices, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.
How would you describe your district?
District 1 is a strong and stable district with diversity of families. Most of our children attend their neighborhood schools but a good percentage of them attend selective enrollment schools. But we still need to increase student achievement with around 32% of children reading on grade level and less that this number can do math on grade level.
How would you describe your campaign platform?
In a few words, I would describe my campaign platform is “NOT Chicago Politics”. My campaign platform represents the constituents of my district because I am not beholden to any entity. I have always been focused on budget transparency, school choice and voice of my community. All three of these items speak to the needs of CPS and what needs to happen in order for us to create excellent options for all children.
What is the single most important issue facing CPS students?
The most critical issue facing CPS students is the persistent achievement gap, particularly for low-income students, English learners, and students with special needs. While the district has made strides in some areas, disparities in access to quality education, resources, and support services continue to prevent many students from reaching their full potential. We need to address these gaps with targeted interventions, robust support systems, and an emphasis on equity to ensure that every student has a path to success.
Provide three to four key points you want voters to know about your campaign.
I will be an independent voice on the board which means that I will put children first in every decision. I have the experience, skills, and knowledge to start day one to implement change on the board to get results for children.. I have been grassroots from the beginning and supported by people that know me and know I can get results. Lastly, I will be the change that needs to happen for the children of Chicago.
Given this year’s budgetary problems and disagreements on how to solve them, what do you propose for the district’s funding in future years? Would you support the district in taking on any loans in future years to fund the annual budget?
Having a certificate from Georgetown University in School Finance, they instilled a belief that every cent should have a return on investment for children. To be able to know the impact of our budget, the district must also conduct a thorough audit to identify inefficiencies and redirect funds to programs that directly benefit students, such as mental health services, bilingual education, and special education. For long-term sustainability requires securing additional state and federal funding, advocating for equitable distribution under the Evidence-Based Funding model, and exploring public-private partnerships. I do NOT agree with the Mayor’s feeble attempt to circumvent the election process and have a rubber stamp board to take out a loan. The high interest loan will create more trouble for the tax-payers of the city in the long run. We need to tackle these issues head on.
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The Chicago Board of Education recently adopted a new 5-year Strategic Plan. Which aspects do you support and which would you change, if any?
The Strategic Plan’s emphasis on equity and student achievement, as well as its focus on ensuring that every student has access to high-quality instruction and support services. The plan’s commitment to culturally responsive teaching, social-emotional learning, and expanding college and career readiness pathways aligns with my vision for CPS. However, I consider lessening the options of the families to choose great schools is something that I do not align with. Even though they removed some of language about Selective enrollment schools, they did not remove it for charter schools. In addition, I would push for more targeted investment in bilingual education and special education to ensure that English learners and students with disabilities receive the resources they need to succeed. Additionally, I would advocate for increased community engagement to ensure that the plan reflects the needs and aspirations of the communities it serves.
As thousands of migrant families settle in Chicago, how should the District handle the influx of English learners? What more should be done to ensure consistent bilingual education is provided and funded?
As a former CAO, I know the importance of supporting families that are new to the country and city. I previously revamped the Newcomers school, which helped support children and their families as soon as they entered into the country. With that in mind, the district must expand bilingual education programs to accommodate the growing number of English learners. This includes hiring more certified bilingual teachers, providing professional development in culturally responsive teaching, and ensuring schools have access to the resources needed to support both students and families. Funding should be prioritized to strengthen these programs, and partnerships with community organizations can help provide wraparound services for migrant families. I will advocate for transparent reporting on how bilingual education funding is allocated to ensure that it reaches the schools and students who need it most.
Do you believe the district has historically underinvested in South and West side schools? Yes.
If yes, what solutions would you propose to address inequities and opportunity gaps in the school system?
Historically, schools on the South and West sides of Chicago have been underfunded, leading to disparities in resources, facilities, and student outcomes. To address these inequities, CPS must prioritize funding for schools in these areas, ensuring that they receive the same level of support as schools in more affluent neighborhoods. This includes investing in modernized facilities, additional support staff, and access to extracurricular programs that provide students with a well-rounded education.
Since his election, Mayor Johnson has indicated a desire to move away from school choice and bolster neighborhood schools. This was recently reinforced by in the District’s 5-year Strategic Plan. Do you share this position? Why or why not?
Mayor Johnson’s plan to move away from choice continues to show his short sightedness in his plan for CPS and will create more problems in the future. Because of his plan to lessen parents’ choice, led me to want to run for Chicago School Board.
I understand that neighborhood schools are vital community institutions that should provide a robust education for all students. However, I believe that choice should remain a part of the system, particularly for families seeking specialized programs. The goal should be to create equity in all schools, so that every neighborhood school is a strong, viable option for families, while maintaining the innovative and diverse programs offered by selective enrollment and magnet schools. If we look at previous practices of forcing families do something that that could negatively impact children, they will ultimately leave for better options.
What solutions do you propose to provide busing for students at selective enrollment and magnet schools?
Of course, we should look for funding to support busing for students.
The busing provides equitable options for children. To address the busing challenges for students attending selective enrollment and magnet schools, there are several solutions that can be explored. First, CPS could expand its partnership with rideshare services like HopSkipDrive, which has proven effective in other districts like Denver and Fairfax County. This service provides safe and efficient transportation for students, especially in areas experiencing bus driver shortages. Additionally, increasing bus driver wages and offering incentives can help attract and retain drivers, as other districts have successfully done.
Furthermore, CPS should consider offering stipends for families, which could be adjusted to meet the specific needs of selective enrollment students. This approach is already in place for students with disabilities and those in temporary living situations. Expanding stipends to cover more students in these programs, while making sure it doesn’t interfere with current routes for special education students, would help ease transportation burdens.
Please share your thoughts on how the District and the Chicago Teachers Union can settle on a new 4-year contract.
I have been a part of multiple contract negotiations. A successful collective bargaining process must prioritize collaboration and mutual respect. Both the district and the union must remain focused on what is best for students, including fair wages for teachers, improved working conditions, and the resources needed to create a positive learning environment to have results for children. I would encourage open, transparent dialogue between both parties and push for solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with the need to support educators and students. I have appreciated the approach of having the contract negotiations to be public. This brings transparency to the process.
In 2024, Chicago Public Schools’ average literacy proficiency rate is 31%, an increase from pre-pandemic years. These rates, however, were lower for students from low-income families, English learners and students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs). How should the district seek to improve literacy rates going forward?
Improving literacy rates requires early intervention, targeted support, and high-quality curriculum. I would advocate for expanding early childhood literacy programs, investing in reading specialists, and providing professional development for teachers on evidence-based literacy practices. For English learners and students with IEPs, we must ensure that instruction is tailored to meet their specific needs, with additional support services and differentiated teaching strategies. Community partnerships and parent engagement will also play a critical role in fostering a culture of literacy both inside and outside the classroom.
What is your position on expanded funding and renewal terms for charter schools?
As the Board member, we need to ensure that every child has access to a great school. I support expanded funding for charter schools that demonstrate success in serving diverse student populations, particularly those in underserved communities. However, we must ensure that charters do not divert resources from neighborhood schools. Renewal terms for charter schools should be based on clear performance metrics, including student outcomes, fiscal responsibility, and community impact.
Please provide your thoughts on how to keep Chicago Public Schools as safe havens for students to learn and flourish fear of violence. How do you propose the district approach this?
Creating safe school environments requires a multi-faceted approach, including investment in mental health services, conflict resolution programs, and community partnerships. CPS’s Whole School Safety Plan is a step in the right direction, emphasizing restorative practices and positive behavior interventions over punitive measures. I would also advocate for increased funding for school counselors and social workers, as well as ongoing professional development for staff on de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed practices. Engaging families and the broader community in school safety initiatives will help create a culture of safety and support for all students.