Parents, students, teachers and advocates filled dozens of seats in the auditorium at Chicago Public Schools’ downtown offices ahead of the vote to determine the district’s way forward for the next five years.

The Board of Education unanimously approved a $204.7 million Fiscal Year 2026 capital budget Wednesday evening.

During a special session Tuesday night, the Wood County Board of Education approved two proposals from the superintendent to move forward with procedures to close some area schools and merge them into others.

The Chicago Board of Education will vote on a five-year strategic plan that aims to address inequality and even the playing field across all CPS schools. CEO Pedro Martinez says the board is excited to pass it as the meeting will be held on Wednesday.

The Chicago Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to pass a new, five-year strategic plan to address what the district calls “long-standing issues of equity” and “opportunity gaps” in the city’s public schools.

Stacy Davis says CTU likes everything about the plan, but it mirrors contract proposals.