12-2. Sustainable Community Schools
As part of the partnership required by the School Code, the BOARD shall fund the 20 sustainable community schools currently in operation for the 2019-20 school year. The BOARD and the UNION will jointly evaluate these 20 schools during the 2019-20 school year and will determine the continuation of these schools and any expansion of the Sustainable Community Schools program in future years. The BOARD agrees to maintain, for each year of the Agreement, the level of funding currently provided for the 2019-20 school year for Sustainable Community Schools for support of a community schools initiative. The Task Force referenced below will decide upon the list of a minimum of 20 Sustainable Community Schools to receive funding for SY 2020-21 and thereafter.
12-2.1. SCS Task Force.
The Board and the Union agree to form a 20-person task force, with 10 persons appointed by each, to effectuate, monitor and implement the following initiatives with respect to these community schools:
- An agreed process to select the schools
- Consultation with LSC, principals and community members
- Program elements may include, without limitation:
- Medical or mental health services available to the school community
- The expansion of after-school programs
- The expansion of facility use for students or the school community
- Social-emotional supports/trauma interventions
- Parent mentor and home visit program
- Restorative Justice Coordinator and professional development for parents, students and staff
- Clinical services and community programming
- STLS coordinator, homelessness services, truancy supports, food pantry
- Coordination of City and Park District services
12-2.1(a). No Conflict of Interest.
The Board and Union agree that members of the task force shall not have a conflict of interest in the selection and delivery of services to the sustainable community schools.
12-2.1(b). Joint Assessment.
The BOARD and the UNION agree to jointly assess the functioning of the Task Force and make recommendations for its improvement.
12-2.1(c). Bylaws.
The bylaws adopted by the Sustainable Community Schools (SCS) Task Force on May 20, 2024, shall be incorporated. The Joint Task Force reserves the right to revise and update the bylaws by mutual agreement as needed based on its recommendations.
12-2.2. SCS Goals, Principles/Pillars, and Model Development.
Consistent with this agreement, the SCS Task Force shall develop the SCS goals, principles/pillars, and model. The SCS model shall guide the design of the SCS school-based staffing model - which shall include the positions of SSCS Coordinator (formerly Resource Coordinator), Restorative Justice Coordinator and Parent Coordinator. The SCS Leadership Team can make decisions regarding additional positions to support youth and student engagement, culturally responsive teaching and learning, the roles and responsibilities of SCS-designated staff, and a collaborative hiring process for school-based SCS positions.
12-2.3. The SCS Model.
12-2.3(a).
The current SCS funding of $10 million to 20 schools shall remain for the duration of the contract.
12-2.3(b).
The model identified above includes these SCS foundational functions, which are to be paid for through the funding identified in 12-2.3(a):
- SCS Coordinator
- Restorative Justice Coordinator
- Parent Coordinator: can be held by School or Community-Based Organization (eg - Parent Mentors)--This role or function shall not supplant an existing parent leadership group, liaison, organizer or organization within the school serving this purpose. The school leadership team must determine whether this role or function will be carried out by the school or a community-based organization.
- The SCS Leadership Team can make decisions about additional positions to support youth/student engagement and culturally responsive teaching and learning.
12-2.4. Dedicated Central Staffing Positions.
12-2.4(a). Positions.
Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, CPS agrees to fund the following positions separately from the allocation identified above:
- SCS Professional Development Manager
- SCS Coordinators- as the number of SCS grow, the number of SCS coordinators must maintain a ratio of one coordinator for no more than seven schools;
- SCS Executive Director; and
- SCS Community Partnership Specialist.
12-2.4(b). Hiring.
CPS shall collaborate with the SCS Hiring Working Group for hiring the SCS Executive Director. Collaboration includes recruiting candidates, providing feedback on the job description, formulation of interview questions and performance tasks, participation in the interviewing process and presenting finalists for consideration. CPS retains the right to select the successful candidate and manage the timeline of the hiring process.
12-2.5. Growth Commitment.
There shall be 70 staffed and resourced SCS schools by the end of the Agreement. For each of the 70 schools, the SCS funding identified in section 12-2.3(a) will encompass the foundational positions and/or functions listed in section 12-2.3(b).
| Year | Total SCS Schools | Addition from previous year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 26 | 6 |
| 2025-26 | 36 | 10 |
| 2026-27 | 51 | 15 |
| 2027-28 | 70 | 19 |
12-2.5(a).
Further, CPS is committed to co-developing a strategic pipeline model that will identify schools for inclusion in the SCS expansion plan. This model will foster the necessary conditions to support schools as they transition into SCS Cohorts. For each pipeline school, CPS will provide support for professional development.
12-2.5(b).
Being in the pipeline demonstrates a school community has committed to the requirements of SCS as outlined by the SCS Taskforce and the appropriate subcommittees. Current SCS schools must also recommit to these expectations in order to continue, with the frequency of recommitment to be determined by the SCS Taskforce.
12-2.5(c).
School and partner selection criteria, as developed by the SCS Task Force and its appropriate subcommittees, will focus on strengthening relationships between neighborhood elementary and high schools within the same geographical area (and/or overlapping attendance boundaries) to establish SCS villages.
12-2.5(d).
Beginning in October 2024, CPS will establish the SCS collaborative, where multiple CPS departmental leaders shall meet monthly to discuss implementation of the SCS model and create actionable steps towards integrating and advancing the goals of SCS. The SCS Collaborative will share findings, recommendations, and action plans with both the Task Force and CTU on a quarterly basis.
12-2.6. Professional Learning Expansion for SCS.
12-2.6(a). System Design.
The SCS Task Force, through the Professional Learning and any other appropriate subcommittee shall design an expanded Professional Learning system for SCS.
12-2.6(b). Requirement.
Professional learning will be provided and required for all SCS staff members.
12-2.6(c). Incorporation.
The SCS Task Force shall discuss opportunities for SCS to be incorporated into existing professional learning systems throughout the district, which will be recommended to CPS for implementation.
12-2.7. Lead Partner Agency (LPA) - CPS Partnerships.
12-2.7(a).
The BOARD and the UNION recognize the importance of fostering partnerships that enhance the student experience. Both parties commit to working collaboratively to continually identify and explore barriers to Lead Partner participation in SCS.
12-2.7(b).
To address the barriers faced by LPAs under the reimbursement model, CPS and the Taskforce will work collaboratively to develop solutions for managing upfront operating and staffing costs, including but not limited to advance payment to cover payroll and staffing costs within the parameters set in LPA contract.
12-2.7(c).
The agreement between CPS and the LPAs will be updated to align with the SCS Model Framework as adopted by the SCS Taskforce that will outline the responsibilities, roles, and commitments of the school and the LPA. The updated agreement will be completed by June 2025.
12-2.7(d).
The parties will assess the current challenges in these processes and identify opportunities for improvement to streamline procedures while maintaining compliance with legal and District policies.
12-2.8. Rollover Funds.
Up to $300,000 of the funds allocated to SCS each year shall roll over to the next fiscal year if unspent by the end of the fiscal year. Unspent funds from a given year shall be expended first the following fiscal year..