Thank you.  As my family finalizes our move-in date to our next Chicago neighborhood and chapter together, I can only say what a pleasure and honor it has been to serve and represent your interests in the administration of Walt Disney Magnet Elementary.

Tonight, I am submitting to our Chair that my resignation from the council will be effective at the end of this month, as I will be moving out of the school’s elected boundaries.

Therefore, tonight was my final regularly scheduled meeting as a Representative on the Disney Council.

I reflect how these past four years have reinforced my understanding of the consequential nature and city-wide effects costed by the needs of CPS students going unaddressed.

As being an education advocate for the last decade, I know that every year, indeed every quarter, comes with unique challenges.  When I was first elected to Nicholas Senn High School ten years ago, I was able to witness firsthand the positive effects an active neighborhood could transform a school in need.

I have sincere empathy for this latest generation that is growing up in this post pandemic, gun endemic, TikTok traumatic, isolating virtual habitats, and for their parents who are doing their best.

It pains me that my term ends with what I can only say is the singular nightmare situation for a school: a gun discharging on your campus.

At this current juncture, I do not feel I or my fellow Council members were given adequate information about the incident that occurred yesterday at Disney.

There is too much unknown, and in a situation like this, that is not acceptable.  Policies and protocols must be exactly and plainly clear and followed.  At this time, I do not know any protocols that CPS Central has imposed. They have simply not been made clear.

What I wish I could I close with was my pride in ending my term with the same passion in which I opened it:  Today, I had the honor of making the successful motions to allocate nearly $20,000 to our Diverse Learner Program.

Diverse Learner Programs are advised through The Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services, which works to support networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance supports.

Over the last four years we have advocated for more social workers, greater attention and intention toward racial equity, and common sense dialogue addressing the real needs during the burdensome lock down.

I want to tell you I am not leaving the fight.

To me, it is clear that many school matters that happen within the walls and field of a campus are matters best heard and determined by the elected stakeholders of the Parents, Teachers, Staff, and Community Members who form the Local School Council.

But CPS has all but abandoned supporting this system and has done so at a city-wide, institutional level.

There are no listening tours.  There are being-told forums.

There are no ten year master plans displayed.  There are only grades of education delayed.

I have sincere concern that the greatest education advocacy effort of the last 35 years, that is, to ensure an Elected School Board of Chicago, is in jeopardy of its early undermining.

After reading the law and understanding its tumultuous agenda, I am not satisfied with the lack of authority the Elected School Board will actually hold.

The Mayor went along with it because the School Board’s funding will be Beholden to Another Board:

A City Council Committee.

I refuse to accept a compromise when the compromise was not made in good faith.

And so, I hope you will join me in pursuing accountability and transparency in CPS in a manner that is necessary and appropriate.

I don’t think we have as much time as we think.

I could really use you.

As always,

I am looking forward,

Daniel

Community Representative, Disney Magnet Elementary, 2018-2022

dan.kleinman@mac.com