I write to you today with a heavy heart as we once again confront the devastating reality of a school shooting. This time, in Georgia, a 14-year-old student took lives, injured others, and left a community of students, educators, family and friends shattered, grappling with grief and searching for answers.
We had the pleasure of visiting Principal Dr. Giwa at Pershing School and Principal Tolbert at Mason Elementary on the first day of school, and it’s clear that school leaders truly make all the difference. From Principal Tolbert’s dedication to ensuring every student was registered and ready to learn without missing a beat, to Principal Dr. Giwa’s unwavering focus on setting clear expectations for both students and staff, we saw leaders who were not distracted by the noise but driven by progress.
President Troy LaRaviere addressed the Chicago Board of Education on Thursday, August 29th, reaffirming that a school leader contract remains his top priority. He focused on the uncertainty surrounding what’s next in Chicago’s public schools. This uncertainty only strengthens the need for a binding school leader contract, which is essential to providing the support and stability that school leaders deserve.