After the Democratic National Convention’s (DNC) conclusion on Thursday, it was revealed that Chicago’s school district delayed the start of the academic year, urging kids to attend the DNC instead of starting their classes.
The district is now facing criticism from many, who claim its move was political.
Students were supposed to start school on Monday but were held back a week because of the DNC.
The district published its School Year 2025 (SY25) calendar, which showed 176 full-student-attendance days, starting Monday and ending June 15, 2025.
However, students will not begin school Monday with the district citing the DNC as the reason for the delay.
The Chicago school district that the delay would allow students to “attend, volunteer, and participate in the civic process of hosting the convention.”
The development comes after American Federation of Teachers (AFT) union boss Randi Weingarten was one of the keynote speakers at the DNC.
“Join us for an electric meeting with Biden-Harris climate wins, new polling data, panels and presentations!” the advertisement for the session stated, as reported by Fox News.
Public Labor Unions Accountability Committee spokesman Doug Mayer explained that the district’s decision to delay the start of schools because of the DNC is a “clear example of what happens when the Public Sector Unions gain too much power.”
“Instead of prioritizing students’ education, decisions are driven by political agendas,” Mayer said. “This overreach harms our kids and underscores the dangers of allowing unions to dictate what’s best for our students.”
The Chicago school district also faced hefty criticism for its decision on social media.
“The reality is that DNC heroes Randi Weingarten and the AFT fought tooth and nail to keep schools closed for as long as possible,” one user said. “Anyone cheering this doesn’t read or have kids.”
“Randi Weingarten represents the decline of American public education,” another user said. “She’s anti-parent, anti-choice, and completely unhinged.”
Like Weingarten, House Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-SC) was also denounced on X for opening up the DNC, claiming, “Thanks to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we reopened our schools.”
Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) issued a scathing rebuke of Chicago officials and teachers unions, asserting that they are putting politics over students.
“The hypocrisy of Chicago politicians and the teachers unions to keep students out of class to appease their friends at the DNC is astounding,” LaHood said. “Illinois students still lag behind because of Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID lockdowns in 2020.”
The pro-school choice group known as the American Federation for Children also went after Chicago’s school district for its decision.
The organization’s senior fellow, Corey DeAngelis, a self-described “school choice evangelist” criticized Weingarten and the teachers unions.
“Chicago Democrats, owned by the control freaks at the teachers unions, continue allowing kids to be denied an education,” DeAngelis said. “They always put politics before the needs of children and their families.”
“Now, they’re prioritizing their friends at the DNC over the kids,” DeAngelis added. “They’ll find an excuse to put kids last, and it’s a disgrace.”
Source: Resistthemainstream
