(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The new Chicago Board of Education was sworn in Wednesday.
The 21-member board now has 10 elected members for the first time ever, including award-winning musician and community activist, Dr. Che “Rhymefest” Smith of the 10th District.
“The pinnacle of the beauty of my life is being elected by a community who sees fit to have a new era in education and who can see what Chicago public schools can be.”
Representing District 4 is Ellen Rosenfeld, a former teacher and mother of four.
“I sit before you humbled and deeply honored to take this oath of office for the Chicago Public Schools first elected school board. This moment is no doubt historic, not just for me but for all of us, because it partly reflects the voices and values of the majority of the people in our district.”
The School Board gets to work as Chicago Public Schools faces ongoing financial challenges, teachers union contract negotiations, and the pending departure of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez after the board voted to fire him.
Ten members of the school board are elected, while Mayor Brandon Johnson gets to select 11 members. Johnson still needs to appoint a final member.
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