In Chicago, serving on the school board seems like a big deal

School board campaign donations top $2.3 million a month before election, as money pours in from teachers union and charter groups

“We see it as investing in a process to yield a school board member (who is) independent, who thinks and puts student interest first and isn’t beholden to political interests,” said Andrew Broy, president of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, somewhat ironically.

The Chicago school board comprises 21 members, 11 of which are appointed by the mayor.

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Fifty-five schools in Chicago say students can’t do math or read at grade level