I think the school boycott was a good idea to raise AWARENESS about the funding issue. However, as a parent of 2 CPS high school students, I see much bigger problems that impede the education our students, collectively, receive. At a recent "parent orientation" I was surprised at how many parents thought the "school system" should provide college-level curriculum for students that, overall, can't read, write or perform mathematical calculations at their current grade levels! I know about the academic performance from the principal during that meeting.

There were some exceptional students at the school that went to wealthy suburbs, this summer, to work as interns at various companies. Did the school "system" work for these exceptional students and fail the rest of the student body? I don't think so. One of the children, that interned this summer, spoke about HER passion for HER education with a clear goal set for her future.

It's that passion that each student brings or doesn't bring that makes the difference. Imagine a teacher walking into a classroom and finding self-motivated students ready and willing to learn.

I believe the funding issue should be one consideration that addresses the educational disparity. But the educational disparity is the effect of a problem that money can't solve solely. I've never met an unmotivated person - ever! Every student walks into a school voluntarily. Whether the motivation each student brings will target their education, heating a seat or causing chaos is another story.

How about trying to assist students in directing their motivation toward their education? How much does that cost? What system needs to be fixed to fix the motivation problem?

Have you ever been on a bus or "El" train and noticed some students doing homework on the bus or the "El" and others not? I have.

I have seen estimates that say CPS is spending between $9,500 and $11,500 per student. By the time the money actually reaches the student's actual school, that school only receives about $5,000 per student. I feel the first place we need to look in regards to school financing is the very top heavy administrative structure of the Chicago Public Schools. I have personally seen teachers being laid off while principals pad their administrative teams by creating new positions for their friends. Also, with the area and regional offices, there are many positions that are redundant or their functions could be consolidated. At 125 S Clark the bureaucracy has grown so large that it is being smothered by its own weight. In my opinion, hundreds of millions of dollars could be re-channeled into real eduction of children if Arnie would take a serious look at streamlining the administrative structure of CPS instead of promoting a policy of cronyism. This doesn't even take into account the millions of dollars wasted on non-functioning or quickly replaced software such as people soft, student tracking, impact, verify etc.

What happened to the additional funding that was supposed to come from the state lottery/casino gaming? What happened to the funding from raised taxes over the years?

Since James Meeks has been a SENATOR, a goverment offical for several years now, shouldn't he have an idea, or at least ask what happened to the money or WHERE IS IT? Instead of whinning for more goverment cash? Looks like SENATOR Meeks as part of the Illinois goverment, has some explaining to do.

Oops! I forgot SENATOR Meeks is too busy pointing fingers at other goverment officials. He gets a pass (sigh!!)

Meeks is showing a poor example of being responsable.The children (students)should not be bothered with this sort of civil disobedience,shame on their parents for alowing it.There are laws in place which apply; as you perform as a school so shall your funding. Performince based rewards. That is fair.I have nice schools and other things in my area as well and along with those nice things comes some hefty property taxes and our schools are doing well because they make the extra effort and have pride in doing so.

I agree with Rev. Meeks, and for any parents that took their children to school, they need to stop complaining. This was their chance to be a part of the solution, and they are not helping, one week out of school would not have hurt their children. And for those in the administration position claiming that it will hurt the amount of money they receive, they are lying; Rev. Meeks already proved them wrong, stating they could pick what ever period they want to get the state funding. Yes, the real problem is not the money I understand they have to protect their job. And for the Reverend and ministers, that are not supporting the causes, the bible speaks about "false prophets.” Lastly I just want to say, that, the reason why our people can not have anything is because they can not believe we have been released from slavery. We need to learn how to stand together and support the cause, especially when it a just caused. We will never stand for anything until we learn how to stand together. Stop the excusing, there's know reason why those who took their kids to school, should have done that, none what’s so ever, and you wondered why you can not get ahead.

I agree that there is a MAJOR problem with educational funding for CPS students. But is keeping children out the answer? If we think the Government doesn’t care about educating our children who are we hurting keeping them out? During Obama’s speech he reminded us that the Government could not fix all of our problems. So, instead of focusing on all of the inequalities that we face, lets use that energy to generate some funding for schools! If you don’t have money to donate, donate your time, it works just as well. Our kids need to see us active in our communities and schools.

DO NOT let the system dictate to you what your child is capable of learning. What the school does not offer your child, you offer it to them!

No activities in school - visit the local park district and get them involved!
No books to read - visit the local library and check out books to read with your child!
Not enough chairs to sit in - all the parents and students pitch in to buy chairs and/or donate furniture and area rugs ….spruce up the classroom and make the students feel proud to be a part of it!

Big waste of time.money is not the problem,uncareing parent's and bad attitudes are.

In my opinion the school boycott was not an resonable way to get anything done.I think what meeks fails to understand is it makes no sense to throw good money after bad attitudes.Alot of the parentes don't check on there children's progress(or lack there of)and as long as that continues i don't care how much money you throw at it,thing won't improve.

When is Mayor Daily going to directly respond to the issue of finances and distribution in CPSs?

He is telling us what NOT to do (don't keep our kids out of school) but what is his position on funding???

Is his position that we should accept unequal funding?

Is he saying that people who pay higher property taxes get a better education?

He and the governer need to respond directly.

I have to say that i am not surprised with Meeks. it's like the blind leading the blind. Parents are not being the parents to their children. Kids need their education more then ever and in the city of chicago it's like a war zone. If parents really loved there kids they would keep there kids home and home school them and give them an hour of P.E. a day wich is more then the school gives them. Lets be honest. the timing was off for the protest,kids are the ones suffering, and your teaching them the wrong message. Or heres a thought.. fight back and move to a better area and the taxes you pay will go towards your childrens education. The city of Chicago is the highest taxed base in the country and you have horrible funding. mega game was supposed to help.