46-1. General Provision

In order to implement the joint policy of the BOARD and the UNION to work affirmatively to give each student the advantage of an integrated school and a comprehensive world view, the BOARD agrees as follows: (a) in concert with the UNION, to encourage appointed teachers to apply for transfers under the provisions of this Agreement; (b) in concert with the UNION, to encourage the extensive use of curriculum, texts and supplementary materials that represent contributions made to civilization by all elements of our population; and (c) as funds are available, to develop programs and select schools to receive the services and personnel required to deal comprehensively and effectively with the total needs of a student in a school so that all elements of a sound educational structure are present, such as drastically reduced class size, additional teachers, additional counselors, reading specialists, clinicians and teacher assistants.

46-1.1. School Community Representatives. 

The BOARD shall fund a School Community Representative at each school with 75 to 139 students in temporary living situations (STLS). The BOARD shall fund two School Community Representatives in schools with 140 or more students in temporary living situations. Student numbers to be measured on the last day of the 1st semester of the prior school year with any adjustments to be made on the 10th day of school of the current school year. The School Community Representative will be responsible for STLS coordination and actively work to remove barriers to enrollment, healthcare intervention, provide support and resources for families to access to housing, early intervention, attendance and success, and all other responsibilities per federal guidelines for students with the STLS designation.

46-1.2. STLS Liaison Stipends. 

The BOARD shall also provide paid stipends to schools for STLS Liaisons, according to the following schedule:

  • 1 stipend for each school with 20 to 25 students in temporary living situations
  • 2 stipends for each school with 26 to 40 students in temporary living situations
  • 3 stipends for each school with 41 to 74 students in temporary living situations

46-1.3. School Community Representatives and STLS Liaison Responsibilities. 

The primary responsibilities for the School Community Representatives and the STLS Liaisons include working with families to determine STLS status, enrolling students in school and in the STLS program, and distributing bus cards to students. These employees are also responsible for maintaining on-going communications with STLS students and families and providing these families with referrals to District and community resources that may address barriers to enrollment, attendance, and success in school. Principals shall invite staff to express interest in serving as STLS Liaisons prior to the end of each school year. Counselors and social workers who timely express interest in serving as an STLS Liaison shall be selected over other job classifications. If no counselors or social workers timely express interest, bargaining unit employees shall have right of first refusal to serve as STLS Liaisons. If no bargaining unit employee is available to serve, any member of a school community shall be permitted to serve as a school’s STLS Liaison. If there are no volunteers to serve as STLS Liaison, the principal shall make an assignment.

46-1.4. Review of Services to Homeless Students. 

The Board shall establish a quarterly meeting with the CTU that enables the parties to evaluate the efficacy of services to homeless students alongside leaders in CPS’ STLS Department.

46-1.5. STLS Enrollment Counts. 

For the purposes of awarding stipends and liaisons under the article, the BOARD shall annually use a school’s STLS enrollment counts at the 20th day of the school year and quarterly thereafter, provided no school shall experience a mid-year reduction in STLS stipends or liaison positions.

46-1.6. City Housing Policy. 

The BOARD and the UNION will advocate for affordable, accessible, and safe housing through identified City initiatives (e.g., Chi Collaborative) and City-led legislative efforts during the term of this agreement to provide housing and rental assistance for 20,000 unhoused and housing insecure CPS students. The advocacy may include initiatives such as the development of new affordable housing units, housing subsidy programs that prioritize CPS families, and coordinated participation in programs such as The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund. These efforts will work in tandem with the City of Chicago’s five year plan to end homelessness.

46-1.7. Revenue to Support Affordable Housing. 

The BOARD and the UNION shall collaborate to jointly advocate for the support of social housing units and rental assistance for unhoused students.

46-1.8. Transit Assistance. 

The BOARD shall make all reasonable efforts to partner with the Chicago Transit Authority to pilot a student bus program, starting with all STLS students.

46-1.9. Vacant School Buildings. 

The BOARD will identify vacant and unused Board land parcels or properties for the potential development of affordable housing for low-income students and families and/or non-congregate temporary sheltering places for CPS families experiencing homelessness. The BOARD and the UNION will then explore potential partnerships with the City of Chicago and local community organizations to develop a plan to assess the feasibility of using these parcels or properties for these purposes. Any recommendations made are subject to approval by the BOARD. The BOARD, and the UNION shall meet no less than twice per year for the term of this Agreement to review informal property proposals from community based organizations, and assess feasibility. The Joint Housing Committee shall make recommendations pursuant to this paragraph to the Board if a proposal requires a Board vote.

46-1.20. Promoting Awareness of the STLS Program. 

CPS and CTU recognize the importance of informing students and parents about the STLS Program to increase the self-identification of students in temporary living situations. To support this effort, the BOARD shall distribute "Rights of Homeless Students" handouts to all students at least twice a year. These distributions will occur during key times such as enrollment, the beginning of the school year, report card pick-up days, and other parent events. The BOARD shall explore potential partnerships with the City of Chicago in an effort of promoting awareness of the STLS Program. The BOARD will collaborate with the UNION to update and provide STLS trainings no less than twice per year and to improve the connections between STLS advocates and STLS liaisons throughout the school year.