Chicago Board of Education Renews Contracts for 49 Charter Schools

Renewals come with conditions and shorter terms, sparking concerns and potential strikes

Chicago Board of Education renews contracts for 49 charter schools run by 12 charter networks, most for three or four years, starting this July.
Each renewal came with a set of conditions, including monitoring services for students with disabilities and students learning English as a new language, improving facilities, financial compliance, and accuracy of teacher licenses.
Chicago Teachers Union members have threatened strikes at two of the charter schools in question over issues including special education staffing levels and sanctuary protections for immigrant students and employees.
Charter schools that meet or exceed financial and academic standards and operate at the highest levels of performance are eligible for a maximum 10-year renewal, but no school received five years.
Chicago’s charter school community had expressed concerns that the board, appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, would make it more challenging for charters to get renewed.