Che ‘Rhymefest’ Smith kicks off school board reelection bid
Board member Che Rhymefest Smith launches his reelection campaign at Strugglebeard Bakery, highlighting first-term accomplishments including visits to 75 district schools.
News Articles
CPS needs an educator as its leader, says School Board member Che ‘Rhymefest’ Smith – Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago has had a CEO since 1995, when the Legislature handed over control of the school district to former Mayor Richard M. Daley. The only qualification for a CEO in state law is that it “shall be a person of recognized administrative ability and management experience.” But superintendents must have a master’s degree, usually in education, two years of experience in an administrative role and a superintendent endorsement from an accredited university. That endorsement requires training, classes and a 12-month internship.
Chicago Board of Education votes to save 5 of 7 Acero charter schools slated for closure
The school board’s 16-3 decision — its first major one since becoming a hybrid elected board — caps an intense months-long back-and-forth between the charter operator, school district officials, the teachers union, and the school board, which changed more than once since news of the planned charter closures first emerged.
Chicago’s First School Board Race Brings a Mixed Bag of Ideologies
The independents include a rapper who beat three opponents on the city’s South Side. Che “Rhymefest” Smith said he ran to ensure that every school gets a registered nurse, a librarian, counselors, tutors, support staff and quality arts instruction.
Rapper ‘Rhymefest’ running for Chicago school board to ‘reimagine’ education in city
In a press conference at Chicago's The Silver Room Thursday, Smith said he is running to represent District 10, which encompasses part of the southwestern end of the city. The Grammy Award-winning rapper attended CPS during his childhood, an experience he said taught him about "community" and how to "create our ways out of our own problems."
Rhymefest lays out vision for CPS students via corporate partnerships
He says he will work to cement corporate sponsorships for specialized training and employment for students, who would work for the partner companies as an entree to future full-time employment with the corporations.
Dr. Che ‘Rhymefest’ Smith’s plans for Chicago’s education
Dr. Che Rhymefest Smith discusses his vision for transforming Chicago education through community collaboration and student-centered reform.
Dr. Che ‘Rhymefest’ Smith on moving from rhymes to reform
A profile on Dr. Che Rhymefest Smith's transition from Grammy and Oscar-winning music career to education reform as a Chicago Public School Board member for District 10.
Dr. Che ‘Rhymefest’ Smith’s vision for Chicago schools
An in-depth look at Board Member Smith's education priorities and policy vision for Chicago Public Schools District 10.
Che ‘Rhymefest’ Smith, elected Chicago School Board member, District 10 – WBEZ
WBEZ coverage of Rhymefest's election to Chicago's historic first elected school board, representing South Side District 10.