School council election schedule revealed

A long-awaited guide to the October election of the Chicagolocal school councils will be available as early as next week, schoolsources said Wednesday.

A final draft obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times shows that forthe first time the interim Board of Education sets an electiontimetable and answers questions about who is eligible to campaign,nomination forms and ballots, election monitoring, voting procedures,council meetings and duties.

Also, the guide provides an election toll-free hotline number:(1-800) 244-ABCS. The telephone number is not yet in operation.

The guide is a tool, the draft said, to help principals andlocal school council officers understand reform law requirements andto "run a good and honest election."

Council elections will be held Oct. 11 for elementary schoolsand Oct. 12 for high schools.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Sept. 27 forelementary schools and Sept. 28 for high schools.

"This is an election unlike any in Chicago," said Bob Saigh, aboard spokesman. "All you have to be is 18 or older. You don't haveto be a registered voter or citizen. It allows for maximumparticipation."

Under the law, an elected 11-member council for each school willbe made up of six parents, two teachers, two community residents andthe principal. The council will be authorized to make importantbudget, educational and administrative decisions.

Council members serve a two-year term, but a studentrepresentative will be elected annually.

Saigh said the board planned to unveil the guide next week anddistribute copies first to principals, existing council presidentsand officers, who will be responsible for running the electionsaccording to the reform law.

He said "thousands of copies" will be available later fordistrict superintendents, parents and community groups in bothEnglish and Spanish.

With so much to do and so little time, lack of information onrunning the elections has been a sore spot among parents andcommunity groups.

"When you consider what has to be done, this guide is toolittle, too late," said Florence Cox, co-chair of the Coalition ofDistrict Education Councils.

Here is the timetable for the local school council elections. Sept. 11-15: nominations submitted for local school councils. Oct. 2-6: public forums for nominees. Oct. 11: election day for elementary school councils. Polls will beopen from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Results announced that night. Oct. 12: election day for high school councils. Oct. 18 and 19: first organizational meeting for councils to setmeeting schedules and elect district council representatives. Nov. 7-13: first district council meeting.