Teacher Tea
Funding the Future: Why School Board Election Spending Matters for Teachers and Students
School board elections directly impact the resources, policies, and overall direction of our schools. The candidates who win these elections make decisions about budgets and teacher contracts, both of which significantly affect the classroom experience and working conditions for teachers. Understanding the sources of funding and the potential influence behind campaigns helps teachers make informed decisions about whom they support in such elections.
And what about their unions? How much money should unions be spending to support political candidates? Is there a limit in terms of responsible use of union funds?
In Chicago's first school board elections, spending has reached nearly $7 million, with about $4 million from candidate donations and $3 million from pro-school choice super PACs. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has backed its candidates, spending $1.5 million and endorsing candidates who have raised the most money in eight of ten races. Super PACs have supported pro-charter candidates, raising concerns over campaign funding. You can read more about this in “How much has been spent on Chicago’s school board elections? Almost $7 million,” by Mila Koumpilova and Becky Vevea for Chalkbeat.
The CTU has criticized out-of-state funding and removed some candidates from ballots, sparking debate with the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, which accuses the union of “buying” influence. With 10 board seats at stake, and as contribution caps have been lifted in all but one district due to high spending, both the CTU and charter advocates are vying for influence. Calls have been made to limit external funding and establish campaign spending limits.