Labor built this country. Labor sustains our communities. Labor deserves justice, dignity & respect—always. ✊🏽 #LaborDay #UnionStrong

Grateful to my CPS colleagues in this picture and BM’s Bannon, DeBerry, Lopez, Thotakura & Wallace & to parents, unions, community groups, civic leaders & elected officials. Together we delivered a balanced FY26 budget that protects classrooms, avoids new debt & puts kids first.

Cheers to my 11 colleagues that casted votes on the right side of history tonight! Democracy, our families, our kids, our schools and the Chicago Taxpayer - WON tonight! #putkidsfirst #nobrandonbailout

Big vote today. NO to borrowing!

CPS is set to finalize its fiscal year 2026 budget this week, but questions remain about how the district intends to plug a $734 million shortfall. Chicago Board of Education member Jennifer Custer talks what happens if a budget isn't approved by Friday. https://t.co/afd62uyKXW

Today’s vote is 1 of the most consequential decisions we will make. CPS spends $800 million a year on debt service. Handing the Mayor $175 million is a devastating choice that would cost us 914 jobs districtwide & strip more than $181 million in discretionary funding from school

Thanks to @LaRazaNewspaper for running my editorial support of the FY 26 CPS Budget in Spanish. #YesforCPSKids #openforourkids #classroomsnotchaos #putkidsfirst #nobrandonbailout https://t.co/xQXkLNbrja

Here is how this budget will hurt District 7 (Pilsen/LV/Gage Park) if it does not pass - 132 positions would be eliminated & schools would loss an average of $443 thousand dollars in discretionary funding! The 59 CPS Schools would lose $26 million dollars in funding to classroom

"the new member with no opportunity for an in-depth training or engagement with community stakeholders." Which is why they should be abstaining from any votes! With payroll on the line, Chicago school board faces vote on budget and new member

#YesforCPSKids #openforourkids #classroomsnotchaos #putkidsfirst #nobrandonbailout

The FY 26 CPS budget moves our schools forward—protecting classroom funding, avoiding new borrowing & beginning to shrink future deficits. This is more than just numbers—it’s about students, teachers & families. A budget that keeps resources where they belong: in our classrooms.

This costly error will not only impact taxpayers, but future generations of CPS students as well. Editorial: Cook County is costing Chicago Public Schools millions it can't afford to pay

Extra, Extra, Extra! My letter got picked up and printed in the Chicago Sun-Times. Thanks @jennicuster and Yesenia Lopez for reading for me at our last board meeting.

This is why we cannot afford more debt…Chicago Public Schools’ nearly $10 billion in debt stands out among districts - Chalkbeat

Dr. Che “Rhymefest” Smith understands our children don’t deserve our debt! We don't need a HIGH-interest loan. Loan Today = Layoffs Tomorrow. Email the School Board members & demand they #PasstheBalancedBudget https://t.co/pn1oshfYkK

Three days left to email the CPS School Board! https://t.co/WntTFaXFxy

My colleague @jennicuster-writes a strong editorial about the potential consequences of not passing the FY26 budget. “The budget is balanced, honors our agreements with teachers & other workers, keeps cuts out of the classrooms & sets the district up 4 the long term. #putkids1st

I'm voting YES on the CPS budget—a responsible, community-driven plan that puts kids first and moves us forward. #YesforCPSKids #putkidsfirst

That means fewer teachers, fewer support staff, & less direct support 4 our students. Let’s stand up for our students, our educators, & our schools. Vote YES to stop the cuts. Protect education. Protect our future. #YesforCPSKids #openforourkids #classroomsnotchaos #putkidsfirst

I’m voting YES to protect our schools from devastating mid-year cuts! If the district shifts its obligation to pay the MEABF, our classrooms will lose 914 critical positions and over $181 million in vital funding.