If you’re a Black school leader, and you make the mistake of actually believing in the written rules — that your job is to supervise a predominantly white teaching force … and to hold them accountable — [CPS CEO] Pedro Martinez and the rest of CPS management will unleash a system on you that will smear your good name, and replace you with someone who will stay in their place.
This was said during a press conference for the Chicago Public Schools. The meeting was a result of numerous Black principals being fired without any evidence of misdemeanors or investigation.
From 2022 to 2023, over seven Black principals received a notice of termination. While the practice of firing a principal is not unheard of, it draws questions as to why there are no explanations for it.
As a principal of many Chicago Public Schools, the position is not something that is easily vacated due to simple reasons like budget cuts that lead to letting go of teachers and staff. And because of this lack of “due process,” Black principals are calling for an investigation into CPS and it’s the reason behind such a lack of transparency with the schools and their employees.
Why Are Racist and Sexist Agendas Not Addressed in Schools?
The problem lies in the chain of command and how schools listen to criticism. For example, Jones Prep is a predominately high-income access school with white teachers and students, so the board will listen to those with money. For many CPS schools, data is the most important definer. It’s how schools evaluate what’s working and what’s not. But if the school is predominately white and high-income, if the board is not motivated to correct the small number of racist actions started by students and even the staff, then nothing will be done.
This is made even worse when the board does not find it a dire problem to address.
It feels like the power and privilege is with the white kids, which means a lot of other voices are getting drowned out … I think it has to do with money. There are a lot of well-off white kids who have very loud and powerful parents, and the problem is administration giving into those parents.
A teacher who felt the tensions and workings of Jones was bad enough that she planned to leave after a year describes that the school does not focus on the Black or brown pathways of higher education. Because there is such a small percentage of Black and brown students in the school, it is considered something that’s out of the way of the regular curriculum.
Past Mass Decrease in Teachers
Not for the first time, Chicago Public Schools experienced a “turnaround” in Black and brown employees. Nearly ten years ago, hundreds of Black teachers were let go as a part of a “turnaround.”
Teachers and staff from approximately 36 schools, regardless of their performance, were fired and replaced. The CTU targeted schools that reported below the standard test scores. Including most high and elementary schools located on the South, Southwest, and West sides.
However, the real criteria of these cut-offs were based on the race and income level of the students. And in theory, wasted more money and time by firing and replacing employees rather than investing in corrected learning plans and teacher education.
Many of the teachers, when encouraged to reapply for a position, were never rehired. Later on, these teachers filed several lawsuits against the Board of Education for “indiscriminate racially motivated firing.”
Written by Brielle R. Buford
Sources:
CBS News: Principals’ union accuses CPS of unfair firing Black principals
NPR: Racial issues unaddressed at CPS’ Jones College Prep, students say
CNN: Black Principals call for investigation of Chicago school district after they were fired from their jobs
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Elizabeth Warren‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by Theresa Hogue Courtesy of Oregon State University‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
