Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates sparked controversy during a speech at the City Club of Chicago, stating:
“Children belong to the school system — CTU thinks your children are its children. Yes, we do. We do. We do.”
Citing civil rights writer James Baldwin, Davis Gates defended the comment by explaining that the union educates, nurtures, protects, supports, negotiates for, and even opens its homes to students.
Her remarks come amid ongoing concerns in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), which has lost approximately 70,000 students—dropping to about 325,000 enrolled—from enrollment levels a decade ago. Some under-enrolled schools reportedly spend up to $93,000 per student.
Critics have seized on the comments to argue for increased emphasis on educational choice, citing rising per-student costs and shrinking enrollment. Meanwhile, the CTU continues contract negotiations with CPS, advocating for significant funding increases and reforms.
With input from Fox News
