Fully Fund Our Schools: The money is there. It's just not going to our kids.

Chicago’s working class families already carry the majority of the tax burden through property taxes that have grown at twice the rate of inflation over the past 30 years. We see our tax dollars flow to Springfield but don't see the return we deserve. 

Illinois has an evidence-based funding formula that tells us exactly what our schools need — and we're not meeting it by $1.6 billion. If we closed the gap and funded that formula, every school would be fully staffed with social workers, nurses, social workers, and librarians.

Property taxes are one of the most regressive ways to fund public services: they hit renters and working-class homeowners hardest, while the wealthiest individuals and corporations skate by. The majority of Chicagoans believe we should invest more in CPS — but by taxing mega-corporations and luxury real estate.

Jason will use his platform on the school board to make clear: fully funding our schools and cutting property taxes for the working class are not competing goals. They're the same fight.

How we'll get there:

• Secure full funding of Illinois' Evidence Based Funding formula — the standard our own state set and hasn't met

• Fully staff schools with counselors, nurses, social workers, librarians, and case managers in every neighborhood

• Expand early childhood and special education services to meet current demand

• Invest in school infrastructure: safe buildings, clean air, modern facilities

• Demand financial transparency and accountability for all schools receiving public dollars

• Advocate alongside progressive allies in Springfield for revenue solutions that put the burden on those most able to pay — not on working class renters and property owners.

Defend Public Schools: Education is a public good — not a private commodity.

Every family in Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Hermosa, Belmont Cragin, and Hermosa deserves a great school within walking distance of their home. The parents and families in our communities already work hard to provide. Our students deserve great schools — not because they won a lottery, but because that's what a fully funded, fully staffed public school looks like.

This isn’t a public vs. charter school debate — this is about families having real choice and real options for education. Jason has seen many models in CPS, and worked in small unionized charter schools, neighborhood schools, and privately operated charter networks. These models all have their strengths — but now is the time for increased accountability to the public and transparency for families.

We’ve seen how private operators take public money and abandon our students when it is no longer convenient. Jason stands with the families of Acero, Aspira, ChiArts who have faced disruption and displacement due to private operators bailing and lack of adequate public alternatives.

In wealthy neighborhoods, when a public school isn't working, the community fixes it. Jason is running for school board to give the families of District 3B the same power. 

How we'll get there:

• Direct resources to neighborhood schools so families have genuine options for education.

• Invest in school infrastructure to create safe, modern learning environments in every neighborhood.

• Advocate for fully staffed schools, including nurses, counselors, and special education professionals.

• Oppose further privatization and the closure of any neighborhood or charter schools.

• Fight voucher schemes that raise private school costs and redirect public dollars away from the students who need them most

• Hold all schools receiving public dollars accountable to the same transparency and standards — no more closing without notice, no more pushing out high-need students

Students Succeed When We Meet Family Needs: The best schools aren't just places to read and do math — they're where entire communities thrive.

If we want to improve academic achievement outcomes in Chicago, we need culturally relevant programs and trauma-informed practices. If we push for it, our school systems can provide wraparound support and whole-child intervention.

The Community Schools Model creates places where families can access mental health support, where after-school programs keep kids safe, where the curriculum reflects the culture of the neighborhood. Chicago already has Community Schools that prove this model works. Jason wants to expand it across District 3B.

How we’ll get there:

• Mental health counselors and social workers in every school

• Restorative justice practices instead of punitive discipline to create safe, affirming learning environments.

• After-school programs, arts, music, and sports accessible in every neighborhood

• Shared leadership: parents, students, and educators making decisions together

• Expanded bilingual and dual-language programs

• Resources to address community needs, including mental health supports and trauma-informed care.

Jason knows that what happens outside the school building shapes what happens inside it. He'll use his platform to fight for the things that let our young people actually show up ready to learn: consistent housing, food security, immigration protections, and safe routes to school.

Our Community, Our Voices: The school board should answer to you

A fully elected school board is an opportunity for our community to be heard , and we deserve a school board that’s accountable to us — not corporate or billionaire interests. A school board member who’s accountable to their neighbors votes for our community’s best interests, whether on contracts, school closures, staffing, or budgets. 

Jason’s campaign is powered by the neighbors of District 3B so that parents, educators, and students have a seat at the table.

How we’ll get there:

• Create lines of real-time communication for students, parents and community members to share feedback and concerns.

• Regular community listening sessions throughout the entire year.

• Empower Local School Councils (LSCs) and other community-led organizations with resources and decision-making authority.

• Push for strong campaign finance limits to keep corporate influence off the board.