Voting for Local School Council begins today

West Siders and residents across Chicago are encouraged to visit their neighborhood Chicago Public Schools elementary today and high school tomorrow to participate in the Local School Council elections.

Voting will take place from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters will be required to present two forms of identification; one must have a current address within the schools’ attendance or voting boundries. Parents can also pick up their child’s report card and talk to teachers from 12 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. the same day.

“Serving on one’s Local School Council is the most important role a parent or community member can have in supporting their schools and students,” CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard said in a March 7 press release.

“People throughout Chicago want to see their schools and students succeed. This is their opportunity to demand the change needed to create a high quality education for every child in every community in our city,” he said.

Council members help with planning the school’s budget and can hire or fire the principal, among other responsibilities.

The councils consist of six parents, two community members, two teachers, one non-teaching school staff member and the principal. One student member also sits on high school councils. The elections take place every two years. Newly elected members will serve from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2014.

View pages 23 and 24 of the Local School Council Election Guide for more information about voting requirements.

Click here to see who’s running at your school with CPS’ interactive “Who’s Running For My LSC” app.

Click here to view CPS’ press release.