CPAA Chief of Staff Kia Banks addressed the Chicago Board of Education at their Agenda Review Committee Meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

I’m happy to be here today to speak briefly about something that’s central to everything we do—partnership.

You’ve heard me say it before: the work we do, we do in partnership—with the Board, the District, our staff, our families... and most importantly, with each other.

At CPAA, we represent both Principals and Assistant Principals across Chicago’s public schools. And it’s critical that we never lose sight of how essential that partnership is inside our school buildings. Assistant Principals are not assistants in the traditional sense—they are leaders in their own right. They are thought partners, trusted collaborators, and the ones who help carry the weight of school leadership every single day.

That’s why our president, Troy LaRaviere, fought so hard—not just for more AP positions in our schools, but for pay that truly reflects the depth of their work. It’s also why we fought for their representation and why we’re working tirelessly to craft a collective bargaining agreement that protects and elevates the role of the Assistant Principal.

Every principal already knows how essential their APs are—but we have to make sure the District knows it too. And not just knows it, but protects the role and respects the work APs do on behalf of the students they serve.

So today, as we reach the midpoint of Assistant Principal Appreciation Week, we want to pause and say thank you—to every Assistant Principal for your leadership, expertise, and the vital role you play. We do this work because we believe in the power of partnership. When Principals and Assistant Principals lead together, every student benefits. There’s no better way to show appreciation.

Thank you, Board, for this opportunity to say what we all know but don’t say enough. And happy Assistant Principal Appreciation Week!