Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Shakes Up School Board, Appoints New Members

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced his appointees to the Chicago Board of Education, replacing all but one of the members appointed by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Jianan Shi, a former high school teacher and executive director of the parent advocacy group Raise Your Hand, will lead the board. The new members bring diverse backgrounds in education and community organizing. Their terms will run until January 2025, when a new partially elected school board will take over. The appointments reflect Mayor Johnson's vision for the district as it transitions to an elected school board. Education advocates had called for a more open and transparent selection process.