Chicago schools criticized for delayed calendar, promoting student attendance at DNC
Randi Weingarten, the head of the teachers' union, delivered the keynote address at the DNC climate panel.
The school district in Chicago is facing criticism for postponing the start of the academic year by a week, with some arguing that it is a politically motivated decision. Originally, students were scheduled to return to school on Monday.
The School Year 2025 (SY25) calendar published by the district revealed 176 full-student-attendance days, commencing on Monday and concluding on June 12, 2025. The district's rationale for the delay was the Democratic National Convention (DNC), which was anticipated to attract an estimated 75,000 visitors to the city.
The school district announced that the respite would enable students to engage in the civic process of hosting the convention by attending, volunteering, and participating.
Several education experts and lawmakers were irked by the fact that American Federation of Teachers (AFT) union boss Randi Weingarten was a featured keynote speaker during a Monday panel by the DNC Climate Council.
The advertisement for the breakout session read: "Experience an exciting meeting with Biden-Harris climate wins, new polling data, panels, and presentations!"
The Chicago district's decision to delay the school year for the DNC is a "clear example of what happens when Public Sector Unions gain too much power," said Doug Mayer, spokesman for the Public Labor Unions Accountability Committee on Thursday.
""Political agendas are prioritized over students' education, causing harm and highlighting the dangers of union control," Mayer stated."
Critics also highlighted education-related claims being made from the DNC dais itself.
Jim Clyburn, the Democratic House Assistant Leader from South Carolina, faced criticism on X for stating that the reopening of schools was due to the efforts of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Mayer's group released a new TV ad titled "teacher's pets," which portrayed the Democratic ticket as champions for the teachers unions' agenda and accused them of keeping children out of school during the pandemic.
According to Rep. Darin LaHood, a western exurbs of Chicago Republican, the city and teachers unions prioritize their political interests over students.
He added that more school choice programs should be implemented in Illinois and across the country, as it strengthens the argument for them.
The hypocrisy of Chicago politicians and teachers unions in keeping students out of class to please their friends at the DNC is astounding," LaHood said. "Illinois students still lag behind due to Gov. JB Pritzker's COVID lockdowns in 2020, which the governor characterized as protecting students and the public.
Corey DeAngelis, the American Federation for Children's expert on school choice and education issues, criticized the Windy City's district for the current situation.
The Chicago Democrats, controlled by the teachers unions, prioritize politics over the education of children and their families, as stated by DeAngelis, who collaborates with the Cato Institute.
DeAngelis contended that the postponed calendar and proposals to involve kids in partisan politics at the DNC are the reasons why school choice is a crucial matter.
"If parents have the option to take their children's education funds to schools that prioritize their well-being, the school system will be motivated to act in the best interests of families rather than the other way around," he stated.
The Chicago school district is facing a $500 million deficit, and a source familiar with the city and its school system has highlighted press claims that teachers unions "control" Chicago, as Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson was previously a local teachers union organizer.
Chicago politicians were criticized by DeAngelis for enabling "power-hungry teachers unions" to keep students out of school for extended periods beginning in 2020.
He stated that the DNC is now prioritizing their friends over the kids, and they will use any excuse to put kids last, which is a disgrace.
Johnson declined comment for purposes of this story.
Weingarten did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment, which was made through the AFT.
Chicago Public Schools officials did not respond to a request for comment from their representatives.
politics
You might also like
- Speaker Johnson faces opposition from Republicans in political statement.
- UN agency funding restoration bill backed by Dem lawmakers: 'Absolutely necessary'
- GOP candidate gains ground on Sen. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, according to consecutive polls.
- A Republican official from a swing state denounced any involvement in a pornography scandal and dismissed it as "sensationalized gossip."
- The former head of Border Patrol criticizes the Biden administration for allegedly concealing information about migrants with suspected links to terrorism.