The new Chicago Board of Education was sworn in this week, marking a historic shift in oversight of the country’s fourth-largest school district after decades of mayoral control over the board.
The current hybrid board is composed of 21 members. Ten were selected by voters in November, during the city’s first elected school board races, and 11 others were appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, one from each of Chicago’s 10 school districts, plus the newly named school board president, Sean Harden. Board members also elected Vice President Olga Bautista at their first meeting Jan. 15.
The mayor has yet to make his final appointment to the board — an official to represent District 8B.
The new board will have a decisive hand in shaping the future of Chicago Public Schools amid financial challenges at the district and contentious negotiations for a new four-year Chicago Teachers Union contract that has devolved into a prolonged power struggle.
Here’s what to know:
What district do I live in?
Each of Chicago’s 10 school districts are divided into two subdistricts, an “A” and “B” district, in which one member is elected and the other appointed. This hybrid board will serve the interests of Chicago students and parents until 2027, when all 21 board seats will be elected.
To search for your school board district: 1) Type in an address, 2) look up a specific school by name or 3) drop a pin anywhere on the map. To try a different address or clear your results, select “Clear search location” at the top of the map.
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Who’s my school board representative?
Each school district is represented by two officials on the Chicago Board of Education: one elected by voters and one appointed by the mayor. These two board members individually represent residents in one of two subdistricts — their designated “A” or “B” district based on home address. Thus, seated members represent their neighbors, serving the students and schools in their community.
With both elected and appointed representatives chosen from neighborhoods across the city, the new board includes a mix of alliances and perspectives.
In November’s elected school board races, the teachers union backed four of the newly seated members, charter school-aligned campaign donors buoyed three others and self-identified independents, who claim no alliance with either side, won three seats on the board.
To find the school board member representing you, use the address lookup map above to find your district and then select that option from the drop-down below.
Scroll to the right to see all seated Board of Education members.
