Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced it is now accepting applications for parents and community members to serve on Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs) as part of the process to gain community feedback on proposed charter schools. All NAC applications must be submitted by Monday, June 1st.

“CPS is committed to working with families and communities to determine which new school proposals present the best options to prepare our students for success in college, career and life,” said Interim CPS CEO Jesse Ruiz. “The NAC process allows families and communities to review the proposals, ask questions and provide valuable feedback as we work to ensure that proposals meet the needs of our students, families and communities.”

NAC members serve as liaisons between the District, prospective charter applicants and the communities they represent. Their role is to ensure that all new charter and contract school proposals provide students and families with high-quality education options that correspond with a community’s specific academic needs. Parents, community members and elected officials, including alderman and state representatives, are all eligible to serve on NACs. The Board is slated to vote to either approve or deny new school proposals at its October 2015 meeting. For more information on the NAC community engagement process, to submit an Interest Form, or attend a mandatory Orientation session, please visit http://cps.edu/NewSchools/Pages/NAC2014.aspx.