Meeting was called to order at 10:48. Jeanette Taylor, Angela Clay, Rossana Sanchez, William Hall, Matthew O’Shea, Jessica Fuentes, Jeylu Gutierrez, Peter Chico, Marty Quinn, James Gardiner, Desmon Yancy, Chris Taliaferro, Nicole Lee, Stephanie Coleman, Anthony Beale are present.

Two things on the agenda today: 1. March 2024 Rule 45 Report 2. subject matter hearing on Alternative Schools Network program, needs and budget which is a call for hearings on policies prohibiting violence interrupters from working in schools if convicted for non-violent offense

Takeaways from public comment section:
Community member discusses the miseducation of Black men, addressing disparities in school quality based on race and impact of school closures.
Association house alum says it gave her resources for success and a degree while a mother

Community members highlight the impact of CCA Academy, which supports former drop-outs needing a smaller school. Current student appreciates the tailored schedule. 1995 graduate emphasizes the importance of personalized support, noting that CCA taught her important life values

The principal of Association House discusses the comprehensive services offered, including behavioral support, trauma care, and education, all within a single setting. Says now is the time to invest heavily in alternative schools

A 2003 Sullivan House graduate and current employee says there's not a single person in Sullivan house that doesn't feel like it’s a family. Sullivan house meets the kids where they’re at.

The public comment section concluded. A community member was asked to leave after disrupting the meeting and requesting to speak despite the public hearing section's end.

Ald. Jessica Fuentes shares her experience of being expelled due to a school fight and subsequently transferred to an alternative school. Those schools see ”everything that is right with them, not everything that’s wrong with them.”

Chairwoman Cruz says her husband graduated from an alternative school. Alternative schools “did not give up on you. Instead they said ‘walk with us.’”
Vice Mayor of Chicago says these programs are "saving lives"

YCCS Director warns of potential school closures in 2 years due to CPS policy against alt school referrals. Enrollment dropped from 4000 to 2600 kids. "We cannot continue under the current conditions" "We’ve been doing this work for a very long time. We are the best practice”

Ald Moore says “if you haven’t lived this thing for real, please, there is very little you can say to me.” He tells his sister's story of getting pregnant at 16 and transferring to the “pregnant school.” She excelled + graduated because she was around people experiencing the same

Principals and students who participated in the meeting are asked to stand up so alders could applaud them

Meeting adjourned at 12:33 p.m. This concludes the Chicago Committee on Education and Child Development meeting. For more meeting coverage, check out .