Tracy Swartz – Page 9

Retiree and Local School Council candidate Joann Podkul outside Douglas Taylor Elementary School, in Chicago, April 14, 2022. Podkul is running to fill one of two community representative council positions at the Southeast side school.

Local School Council elections happening this week at 500 CPS schools: Born of reform, some now struggle to attract candidates

April 19, 2022 at 5:00 a.m.

Joann Podkul won a spot as a teacher representative of Bowen High School in the first Local School Council elections Chicago Public Schools held in 1989. Podkul retired from teaching...

The Illinois State Board of Education is "in communication with CPS about an extended repayment period," the state agency said. A classroom in CPS' Woodson South Elementary School in Bronzeville is shown in 2019.

Chicago Public Schools asked to repay $87 million it got from ‘coding error’; state funds were due to other Illinois districts

April 11, 2022 at 9:36 a.m.

The state of Illinois will distribute $87.5 million to hundreds of school districts that were underpaid because of a "coding error" — while seeking repayment from Chicago Public Schools, which...

Chicago Public Schools headquarters in the Loop on Dec. 15, 2021.

Six Chicago teachers who sued CPS over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate win legal victory

April 8, 2022 at 6:44 p.m.

An Illinois judge issued a temporary restraining order Friday that prevents Chicago Public Schools from taking employment action against six teachers for refusing to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or...

Chicago public health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, right, and CPS CEO Pedro Martinez give a COVID-19 update in December.

Chicago and CPS see rising COVID-19 numbers but ‘nothing alarming at this point,’ city’s top doc says

April 5, 2022 at 2:19 p.m.

COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise in Chicago and in its public school system, but the city's top doctor said there is "nothing alarming at this point." "We are seeing...

CTU President Jesse Sharkey talks to reporters last August about ongoing COVID-19 safety concerns in schools. The union now claims in a lawsuit that an outside group supporting Mayor Lori Lightfoot is interfering with upcoming union elections.

Chicago Teachers Union suit claims group is a ‘front’ working for the ‘benefit of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’

March 24, 2022 at 5:47 p.m.

The Chicago Teachers Union is suing a former top adviser to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a "Jane Doe" over their alleged interference in the May election of union officers. Lisa...

Students leave Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School in Chicago at the end of the school day on March 7, 2022. A week later, Chicago Public Schools became mask optional.

CPS says COVID-19 quarantine policy to continue as some parents call for return ‘to normal before it’s too late’

March 23, 2022 at 5:09 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools will continue to direct students who contract COVID-19 and unvaccinated students exposed to the virus to temporarily stay home, leaders said Wednesday as a group of parents...

Students wait in line before entering Kenwood Academy on the first day of the current school year last August. CPS plans to begin before Labor Day again for the 2022-23 school year.

Chicago Public Schools eyes Aug. 22 for the first day of school this fall, the earliest opening in years

March 21, 2022 at 5:23 p.m.

The Chicago Board of Education is poised to set Aug. 22 as the start of the fall semester for Chicago Public Schools students. The board is scheduled to vote on...

The Chicago Board of Education is prepared to spend $1.5 million to settle a pair of lawsuits alleging a special education student sexually assaulted two classmates in a bathroom of Bogan Computer Technical High School.

Sex assault lawsuits from 2 special education students at Chicago’s Bogan High lead to $1.5 million proposed settlement

March 21, 2022 at 12:23 p.m.

The Chicago Board of Education is prepared to spend $1.5 million to settle a pair of lawsuits alleging a special education student sexually assaulted two classmates on different dates in...

Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez at City Hall on Jan. 4, 2022.

Principals group decries new CPS budget figures: ‘Outraged at the callousness and neglect’

March 18, 2022 at 6:12 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools said 40% of district-run schools will see their individual budgets stay the same or decrease in the fall, even though the district received record sums of federal...

Students leave Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School in Chicago at the end of the school day on March 7. Earlier in the day, it was announced that Chicago Public Schools would end its COVID-19 mask mandate on March 14.

Chicago Public Schools’ mask-optional rule survives initial challenge by teachers union

March 16, 2022 at 3:33 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools' decision to lift its mask mandate has survived an initial challenge by the Chicago Teachers Union. The mask-optional rule will remain in place after a state labor...

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