Meet Bruce Leon, candidate for the Chicago school board’s 2nd District

Academics

About 31% of Chicago Public Schools elementary students are meeting state standards in reading, and 19% are meeting math standards. How would you approach growing reading and math achievement?^*
Because after interviewing in-depth the candidate pool from our district it became apparent that candidates were better suited for LSC and PTA versus helping run a $10.2 billion enterprise. I built a company from two employees to over 200 and had one of the bigger exits in 2020. I have served on public and private company boards and been certified through Northwestern boardify program. I hope to help right the ship. I pride myself as a big listener, and quick learner, and a solution-based activist always seeking win-win.

Do you support standardized testing more than once a year?
No.

Do you support requiring all schools to select from a certain curriculum authorized by the board of education?
No. Principals need some flexibility.

Chicago Public Schools has consistently fallen short when it comes to serving students with disabilities. What would you do to improve special education?
Need to learn more as board member.

CPS finances

In recent years, Chicago’s Board of Education has consistently raised the property tax levy to the maximum allowed by state law every year. Should the board continue to raise the levy to the maximum?
No. Taxes were increased 20% to 30% this year in District 2. People are strapped.

Do you think CPS needs more funding, or do you think the school district’s budget is bloated? How would you balance the CPS budget?^*
We need to find low-hanging fruit to save money and be efficient. Outside of that I can’t go into more detail until I am a board member and can learn more about the budget and spending.

School choice

Do you support the current board of education’s decision to prioritize neighborhood schools and shift away from the current system of school choice with selective enrollment, magnet and charter schools?
No. Selective schools and charter schools raise the tide for everyone. Equality by cutting down your high performers vs. trying to raise your below average schools is bad policy.

Given the board of education’s decision to prioritize neighborhood schools, how would you balance supporting those schools without undermining the city’s selective enrollment schools and other specialized programs?^*
Need to learn more as a board member.

The first charter school opened in Chicago in 1997 and these privately run, publicly funded schools grew in number throughout the 2000s. Today, 54,000 Chicago Public Schools students, or about 17%, attend charters and contract schools. Do you support having charter schools in CPS as an option for students?
Yes. Charter schools give choice and competition.

Independence

If elected, how will you maintain your independence from the mayor’s office, the Chicago Teachers Union or other powerful forces shaping the school system?^*
That’s easy. I am mostly self-funding my campaign and have fought and won CTU just to get on ballot as a committeeman and as a board member. I will try to be a partner with CTU but won’t be pushed around for one second!

Police in schools

Do you support having sworn Chicago Police Department officers stationed in schools?
No.

Busing and facilities

Last year, in an effort to prioritize transportation for students with disabilities as required by state and federal law, CPS canceled busing for general education students who attend selective enrollment and magnet schools and hasn’t found a solution to reinstate that service. Do you support busing for general education students?
Yes. It’s a safety issue as well.

About one-third of Chicago public school buildings have space for at least double the students they’re currently enrolling. Chicago officials have previously viewed under-enrolled schools as an inefficient use of limited resources — and a decade ago the city closed a record 50 schools. Do you support closing schools for low enrollment?
Yes.

Bilingual education

CPS has long struggled to comply with state and federal laws requiring bilingual programs at schools that enroll 20 or more students who speak a different language. The recent influx of migrant families has exacerbated the problem. What policies do you support to ensure the district is supporting bilingual students and in compliance with state and federal laws?
Need to learn more when I’m a board member.

Top local issue

Please share one issue that’s a top concern for your community or your larger elected school board voting district.
Definitely an end to racism and antisémitism that has pervaded from top down. Students need to feel safe and valued in order to maximize educational experience.