Katherine Dunneback’s outlook on schools is shaped by her decades as a speech pathologist, including twelve years in public schools. Her approach to the needs of our schools is informed by her life as a public school parent. She’s advocated for kids with needs that are often overlooked and worked with parents to get them the services they need. 

Here’s how Kate would approach her work on the Chicago Public School Board:

How would Kate solve the problem of underenrolled schools?
The best way to get communities to invest in CPS schools is for CPS itself to invest in its neighborhood schools. Over the past several decades, public trust in CPS schools has been eroded by disinvestment and closures. These actions send the message to families that Chicago’s public schools are not reliable options. To regain that trust, CPS should improve facilities, include the community in decisions made regarding schools, and obtain sustainable funding from the state and progressive revenue sources. 

Why isn’t closing schools the answer to CPS’s budget problems?
If closing schools was the answer to CPS’s budget problems, why didn’t closing almost 50 schools in 2015 prevent the budget problems we have now?

We cannot cut our way to a sustainable school budget. 

We also need to stop thinking that the schools that close will only affect kids in neighborhoods other than ours. I’m running to represent a subdistrict that has XX schools on lists of potential school closures. Even if the schools that close aren’t ours, the overcrowding issues that result will affect all CPS parents and kids. 

So what is the solution to CPS’s budget problems?
For years, Illinois was ranked last in the U.S. for the amount of state funding it gave to schools.   Legislators passed a law in 2017 that promised increases to this funding, but lawmakers have not kept up with those promises.  The solution is making Illinois legislators increase the funding they promised to public schools.

By giving more state funding to CPS, we can also stop looking at property tax increases as the only option for funding our schools. 

Also, right now millionaires and billionaires pay the same income tax rate as the average homeowner.  In my past work with the Illinois Speech-Language Hearing Association, I have lobbied legislators  on behalf of students, families, and public school staff. As a board member, I will use this experience to establish and foster working relationships with city and state officials that I know are vital for obtaining all available resources on behalf of CPS families and staff - including changes to the income tax rate so millionaires and billionaires pay more and working families pay less.    

I will vote for referendums that would adopt progressive revenue streams to increase school funding and lower property taxes. My opponent did not even attend the recent board meeting where those referendums were adopted let alone vote in favor of them. Voters should know I’ll show up and take the tough votes.

What is Kate’s position on AI in schools?
A core part of my platform is the responsible use of technology in CPS. How and whether AI is used in our schools is a question that should be based on learning standards and not a substitute for the primary relationship of a teacher and student as the basis of learning. 

I have taken the Pledge to Protect Human-Centered Education. My opponent has not.

How will Kate improve special education services in CPS?
Special Education programs should be fully funded to equip schools with the staff and support needed to provide the highest quality education to all students in the least restrictive environment. We also need to audit the efficacy and implementation of Tier 1 and 2 interventions district wide to reduce the need for more Tier 3 interventions.

I would also seek a leadership position on the CPS Board’s Special Education Committee and ensure it meets regularly. My opponent currently co-leads this committee but it has not met in two years. 

What is Kate’s position on charter schools and selective enrollment schools?
I do not favor an expansion of charter schools in CPS. They do not have the same standards, accountability, or transparency that the rest of CPS has. Employees should not lose their jobs just because a charter organization decides to pull out of schools. Charter schools currently in the CPS system should remain, but we will need to transition them to traditional, district-run schools. My opponent recently voted to close Acero charter schools, which hurt kids and families. 

Selective enrollment schools offer wonderful options for kids and parents. They are some of our highest-performing schools because they select students who are already high performers. Many parents do not have the time or access to be able to participate in this highly competitive process. The existence of selective enrollment schools creates an inequitable system. We should instead take lessons from selective enrollment schools to create more equitable, high-performing schools throughout the system.

How can we improve student performance in reading and math?
We must do more to reduce class sizes so teachers are able to provide more individualized instruction to students. We should also reduce the dependence on screens and testing in classrooms which often harm students’ ability to learn and retain information. 

What policies will Kate implement to improve school safety, emergency preparedness, behavioral supports, and crisis response for students, staff, and school leaders?
I support research-based, data driven policies such as restorative justice practices, social emotional support programs, and access to counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists. These policies will be reflected in my budget priorities as a board member. I will also ensure training on these topics is available to teachers and administrators. 

Our district’s schools and neighborhoods are deeply concerned with the presence of ICE and the amount of deportations happening. We need to fight to defend students, staff, and families from ICE deportations and continue to be a sanctuary city for our residents. Schools should be a safe haven for our children. 

How can we get more parents and community members involved in our public schools?
Making school activities and events accessible to working parents is the best way to increase involvement. Having access to childcare during meetings and allowing participation in meetings via video conferencing are two examples of actions that can be taken to support parent involvement.  

How would Kate use her position to provide more oversight for the CPS CEO and central office? 
Oversight is one of the most important jobs CPS Board members have and is one that goes beyond our regularly scheduled meetings. I would expect to have an open dialogue with the CPS CEO and would ensure that the Law Dept, Audit Department, and OIG remain independent of the CEO to assist the board in its oversight. I would also ensure that I am well-versed in our Board Bylaws which cover oversight. Finally, the various reporting requirements for the CEO would need to receive significant public scrutiny.

How will Kate be an independent voice on the CPS Board when so many political interests are in play? How will she remain transparent and accountable?
I am accountable to CPS families and the voters. I expect them to decide at the voting booth whether I have kept my promises to put students’ needs first. I have worked my whole career on teams of people who don’t necessarily see things the same way I do. As long as the end result is student centered and data driven, I am willing to make compromises during the process.  

As a speech pathologist, communication is what I do. I can pledge that I am going to put out information about my vote and why I voted that way. It will go to LSCs, parent organizations, principals, and the community. Communication needs to be made more accessible for working families to be involved in the education of their students.