Parents, students, teachers and advocates filled dozens of seats in the auditorium at Chicago Public Schools’ downtown offices ahead of the vote to determine the district’s way forward for the next five years.

The Board of Education unanimously approved a $204.7 million Fiscal Year 2026 capital budget Wednesday evening.

The Chicago Board of Education will vote on a five-year strategic plan that aims to address inequality and even the playing field across all CPS schools. CEO Pedro Martinez says the board is excited to pass it as the meeting will be held on Wednesday.

The board approved the five-year strategic plan, which doesn’t affect school choice in Chicago but does set several goals, such as cutting down on chronic absenteeism.

The Chicago Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to pass a new, five-year strategic plan to address what the district calls “long-standing issues of equity” and “opportunity gaps” in the city’s public schools.

Stacy Davis says CTU likes everything about the plan, but it mirrors contract proposals.