Thursday, October 8 Agenda Review Standing Committee Meeting Student Success

The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education Student Success Committee met on October 8, 2026, to review items for recommendation to the full Board. Procurement discussions included an amendment to the existing library books, ebooks, and related-services vendor pool: five vendors would be added through a competitive RFP, with no additional funding and the existing $16 million, two-year spending limit unchanged. The additions expand offerings such as Spanish-language materials, audiobooks, and specialized collections; the presentation also noted that two minority-owned businesses were being added to help address participation below a separate 20% goal. The committee also considered new agreements with 126 out-of-school-time vendors for January 1, 2027–December 31, 2028. Funding for SY2027 was confirmed, while funding for later years was anticipated through future grants and district resources; negotiated price reductions of at least 10% were reported for 69 vendors. The committee recommended both items for Board consideration; these were recommendations, not final Board approvals.

Other items included a proposed school-accountability policy update with no direct budget impact, a request to apply for a five-year renewal of the school-improvement waiver (July 2027–June 2032), and a health-education policy supported through existing staff and resources. The committee recommended the waiver and accountability and health-education items for Board consideration; the health-education discussion included both favorable and unfavorable recommendations, but the item was ultimately reported as recommended. The transcript then begins discussion of revised Title I Parent Board of Governors bylaws, stating there were no financial implications, but ends before any committee recommendation is recorded. No other specific contract amounts or procurement awards were identified.