The Fund’s chief public affairs officer, Nelson Gerew, testified before the Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. He detailed several key points from The Fund’s recent poll of over 1,100 Chicago voters. Overall, voters favor more revenue from local and state sources to support Chicago’s public schools and do not want short-term budget solutions, such as borrowing. More than 75% of people surveyed believe that principals, not central office or the board, should have the authority to hire, budget, and shape school programming. The video of his testimony is below, followed by a transcript.
Testimony Delivered to the Chicago Board of Education on June 11, 2025
President Harden, Vice President Bautista, and Board Members,
I’m Nelson Gerew, chief public affairs officer at The Chicago Public Education Fund.
Last week, school budgets were submitted by principals and approved by Local School Councils. Those budgets were based on a systemwide deficit of 229 million dollars, which in turn assumed 300 million dollars in new revenue. Consistent with The Fund’s long history of partnership with CPS — providing data and analysis to help leaders make decisions — we recently commissioned a citywide poll of more than 1,100 registered voters to understand their views on CPS’ budget and how decisions that impact schools should be made.
Based on their information and context, voters’ message could not be clearer: Chicagoans want new revenue to support our public schools. A majority, 53%, believe the state should provide more funding. Another third believe the city of Chicago should contribute more. Voters support this board’s efforts to identify new sustainable revenue that prevents deficits and protects our schools.
At the same time, they strongly oppose actions by this board that would undermine CPS’ financial future. Only one in four support reimbursing the city for pension costs, and fewer than one in 10 support borrowing to close a budget gap. Voters understand the stakes, and they’re asking leaders to fund schools in a sustainable way.
Voters also want decisions to continue to be made by those closest to students. They trust local leadership to protect what matters most: the student experience.
We urge the board, along with CPS and city leaders, to act according to what is best for the district and what voters are telling us: Find new revenue, empower local leaders, and keep students at the center of every decision.
Thank you.