Why are you so silent?

With the first-ever Chicago school board election, the church has an opportunity to make its voice heard. We cannot stay quiet.

Jul 09, 2024

Why are you so silent? That’s the question that I felt rising up in my spirit as I thought about how a lot of civil society organizations I know have been engaging with the upcoming Chicago Public School Board elections in November…and the church … well … hasn’t.

girl in green long sleeve shirt writing on white paper — Photo by CDC on Unsplash

This fall, Chicago will hold its first-ever election for a school board. This is a critical juncture for our education system, a chance to bring democracy, community voice, and faith-based values into the heart of our schools. Several civic organizations are already paying close attention:

The Chicago Teachers Union has endorsed a slate of candidates.
The Urban Center, a new organization of political centrists, is preparing to weigh in.
The education reform group "Kids First" has launched a campaign to influence the outcome.

This election will profoundly impact our children, our communities, and the future of education in our city. As pastors and church leaders, we have a unique and urgent responsibility to engage in this process. Our silence is not an option.

The Stakes Are High

The decisions made by this new school board will shape the educational landscape for our children and grandchildren. It will influence curriculum choices, school funding allocations, teacher support, and the values that are instilled in our students. These decisions are too important to be left to chance or to be made without the input of the church.

As someone who homeschools my children, I understand that many of us spend a lot of time seeking to create a controlled, faith-centered educational environment. However, we cannot ignore the broader community. Our children have friends and family in public schools, and many of our church members are part of the CPS system. Every believer living in Chicago must share some concern for our public schools. As the prophet Jeremiah exhorted the Israelites in exile, "seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper" (Jeremiah 29:7).

The Need for Christian Engagement

The AND Campaign is committed to helping the church in Chicago engage in this election thoughtfully and effectively. But we need your involvement. Over the next few weeks, we will be engaging with candidates and preparing a voter guide to help our community make informed decisions. This guide will be a valuable tool, but its impact will be limited without the active participation of church leaders and members.

We must also recognize the potential for both positive change and significant challenges. While an elected board brings the promise of greater community representation and accountability, it also introduces the possibility of increased political influence and divisiveness. The absence of campaign contribution limits means that financial contributions could heavily influence board decisions. Moreover, the lack of compensation for board members might deter working-class and grassroots candidates, potentially skewing representation.

Questions for Candidates

To ensure that our concerns are addressed, we must ask school board candidates critical questions, such as:

How do you plan to address educational inequities in our schools?
What measures will you take to support teachers and improve the quality of education?
How will you ensure that the values taught in schools reflect the diverse beliefs of our community?
What is your stance on parental choice in education?
How will you engage with and be accountable to the community you serve?
What are your plans for addressing the needs of students with disabilities and other marginalized groups?

These questions, and more, will help us gauge which candidates align with our values and priorities. By holding candidates accountable and ensuring they understand and commit to addressing our concerns, we can influence the direction of our public schools in a way that benefits all students.

Partner with the AND Campaign

The church has always played a pivotal role in advocating for justice, compassion, and the well-being of our communities. This election is an opportunity for us to continue that legacy. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

Help us frame the questions: What do you want to know from school board candidates? We’ll go through the questions and use them to shape the candidate questionnaire.
Engage with Candidates: Once we’ve produced the candidate questions, you can reach out to candidates via phone, email, or social media to encourage them to complete it.
Mobilize Your Congregation: Encourage your church members to get involved. Share information about the importance of this election and the impact it will have on our schools. Organize informational sessions or distribute materials that explain the stakes and encourage active participation.
Encourage Voting: Remind your congregation of the importance of voting. Provide information on how and where to vote, and consider organizing carpools or other support for those who may need assistance getting to the polls.

A Call to Action

Church, we can not be silent. We must work together to be peacemakers, advocates, and active participants in this election. Our children, our community, and our faith demand nothing less.