Che “Rhymefest” Smith running for elected school board

Che “Rhymefest” Smith sees having an elected school board as an opportunity for transparency in how Chicago Public Schools makes decisions. Photo provided by Melanie Brown.
Che “Rhymefest” Smith sees having an elected school board as an opportunity for transparency in how Chicago Public Schools makes decisions. Photo provided by Melanie Brown.

Che “Rhymefest” Smith running for elected school board

By Tia Carol Jones

For the first time, the Chicago Board of Education will have 21 members, 10 of them will be elected to represent 10 districts and the other 11 will be appointed by the Mayor. Che “Rhymefest” Smith is running for the 10th District school board seat.

In 2021, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation establishing an elected school board for the City of Chicago. The term for the elected school board would begin in 2025, with elections taking place on Nov. 5th. The 10th District includes Chatham, Woodlawn, Hyde Park, Bronzeville, as well as Altgeld Gardens and Pullman.

“This is a historic opportunity. Forever, our school board has been controlled by the Mayor and by corporate interests,” Smith said.

Smith believes that with an elected school board, residents will have access to the democracy that will come as a result of people being able to choose who is on the school board. Smith attended Dr. Alexander Bouchet International School and South Shore International College Preparatory. His experience in high school was positive, with him being connected to people who changed his life. He wants to give back those kinds of experiences to young people as an elected school board member.

“A lot of what I experienced that was bad, that I still see happening in some of our schools, I would like to help correct,” he said.

Smith wants to recreate and reshape what the Chicago Public Schools look like, so that students will have a world class education. Smith acknowledges that while the position is unpaid and requires 30 hours a week, he believes in order to do the job correctly, it will take more than 30 hours a week. His vision for the schools includes budget, curriculum and personnel. Smith wants to collaborate with businesses and sports organizations on partnerships. He also wants to partner with colleges and universities to create a pipeline of teachers to deal with the teachers shortage. He wants to see skilled trades brought back to the schools so students can get diplomas, licenses and certificates.

“We need modern technology in those schools so that they can operate at the highest potential of a vocational school, similar to what Dunbar does, we need that replicated,” he said. “I want to see more teachers, I want to see more trades and I want to see more partnerships that bring more money to our students.”

Smith was humbled that when he set out to get signatures on his petitions, he was able to get more than he needed. He was out in the parks, at the grocery stores, at the banks and in the community asking what people wanted to see in their schools. People were happy that he was in the community and wanted to hear from them. He said people are excited about him running for office. He said it is about more than him running for office, it is a movement that is being built.

Smith said in talking to people in the community, they want to see modern education, they want their children to be in a safe environment, they want their children to have healthy meals during school hours. They also want more transparency and communication from school administrators.

Smith already has received the endorsements of more than 15 elected officials. He said he is grateful for that.

“They saw the work we were doing. They saw me out here on the streets talking to people, not just in one neighborhood, because I live in Chatham, but the 10th District encompasses South Shore, Woodlawn, Hyde Park, Roseland, Pullman, Bronzeville. We have a foothold in every area of this district. They see the organizing that’s being done,” he said.

For more information about Smith’s school board campaign, visit rhymefestforcps.com.

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