Lightfoot Appoints Former Charter Network Chair to Chicago Board of Education

By Matt Masterson for WTTW

“Lightfoot on Friday announced Miquel A. Lewis, the acting director of probation services at the Cook County Juvenile Probation and Court Services Department, will be joining the board where he’ll replace former Vice President Sendhil Revuluri, who left his position late last year. “I am thrilled to have Dr. Lewis step into this role,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “His years of experience serving young people who are impacted by other institutions will be a great asset to our board and will benefit our students and teachers.” According to the mayor, Lewis serves on the Supreme Court Advisory Board and Illinois Probation and Court Services Board. He formerly worked as chairman of the Noble Network of Charter Schools.”

 

Pritzker proposes $70 million program to hire and retain teachers amid Illinois teacher shortage

By Samantha Smylie for Chalkbeat

“Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed a three-year, $70 million pilot program in the state’s 2024 budget that would help school districts hire and retain educators amid the state’s ongoing teacher shortage.  Pritzker’s plan, called The Teacher Pipeline Grant Program, identifies 170 schools across the state with the most vacancies; these districts account for 80% of unfilled teacher positions in Illinois. Pritzker estimates that 870,000 public school students would see an improved teacher-to-student ratio in the future under the initiative.”