Chicago Board of Education faces growing challenge 

By George N. Schmidt

The monthly meetings of the Chicago Board of Education continue to be attended by overflow crowds, requiring more and more space in “holding rooms” at school board headquarters, as opposition to “Renaissance 2010” grows.

Meanwhile,  a growing number of groups are exploring the possibility of dumping the current Board. Dubbed the “Millionaires Club” by several critics, Chicago’s school board consists of six members, all  appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley. The Board includes three bank executives, one international trade consultant, one real estate speculator, one hospital executive — but no parents, union members — or citizens with annual earnings of less than a quarter million dollars per year. Opponents are considering a major political push for an elected school board.