Reema Amin

Thomas did not disclose a reason for why he’s stepping down.

CPS launched its Teachers Lead Chicago program six years ago. The program has since expanded to include 400 schools and is improving teacher retention.

Chicago has been slow to provide many schools with what they need to serve English learners the way state law intended. The result? Students left waiting for an education they’re legally entitled to and teachers who feel unprepared.

The school board is considering five candidates to take over as interim Chicago Public Schools CEO from Pedro Martinez, who will soon leave the district. Board members must pick the interim schools chief in less than a month.

The school-level budgets assume CPS will get an additional $300 million from the city or the state. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said the plan reflects what board members and the mayor want: no cuts to schools.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said $7 million in city funding will boost wages by 5-10% for early childhood staffers and pay for a one-time bonus for Head Start workers. Officials say they’re worried about teacher shortages in the field.

In an internal presentation, district officials outlined potential layoffs as a way to close the budget gap.

The vote puts a cap on a yearlong bargaining process between CPS and CTU that often got ugly.

The board has again delayed a vote over how long to extend contracts for charter schools.

Chicago’s charter sector experienced years of growth. But the schools are now facing enrollment and financial challenges and a hybrid school board that wants to tighten its oversight of charters.