District 9b Race Splits on Charter Schools
Families in District 9b should weigh each candidate's position on charter schools and school closures before voting.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Should Chicago close more neighborhood schools to address overcrowding?
Two candidates are competing in the District 9b Chicago School Board race: incumbent Therese Boyle and Katherine Dunneback. The race is defined by sharp disagreements over charter schools and school closures in a district with 46 public schools.
Why it matters
For families in Roseland, West Pullman, Morgan Park, Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Washington Heights, the board seat shapes decisions on school overcrowding, closures and how district dollars are spent. Dunneback's neighbors are worried about overcrowding and closures, while Boyle says residents want the district to spend money wisely.
District 9b includes 46 public schools, and Boyle has spent 35 years working for Chicago Public Schools. Only 13% of CPS students choose their zoned public high school, while nearly 57% pick their local elementary school.
The players
Therese Boyle
Incumbent Chicago School Board member with 35 years of experience at Chicago Public Schools, backed by the Service Employees International Union.
Katherine Dunneback
Adjunct clinical professor at Saint Xavier University, endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union.
Chicago Public Schools
The district serving roughly 46 public schools in District 9b, where families choose between zoned schools and other options.
The details
Boyle is an incumbent board member who favors charter schools and school consolidation when they are equitable and cost effective. Dunneback is an adjunct clinical professor at Saint Xavier University who is endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union and has spoken of expanding a program that turns neighborhood schools into community hubs. Boyle is backed by the Service Employees International Union and by groups that oppose the teachers union and support school choice, and the two candidates disagree on charter schools and school closures.
Timeline
Last year, most area schools were designated commendable, the state's second highest ranking.
The Big Picture
The 57% versus 13% gap in CPS enrollment choices frames the District 9b race, which is about how the board will respond to that pattern. Candidates are split on whether charter expansion or school consolidation is the right answer.
If your child attends a District 9b school or you are weighing a zoned high school versus another option, check your school's current enrollment status and the board candidates' positions before the election. Keep your child's enrollment paperwork and school-choice deadlines in one folder so you can act quickly if closures or consolidations are proposed.
The takeaway
Where your child goes to school is shaped by who sits on the board, so the District 9b race matters even if you do not have a school-age child at home. Review each candidate's stated positions on charter schools and consolidation before you vote.
Further reading
For broader context on how these choices play out for teens, see Secondary Education coverage across Chicago.
Live Poll
Should Chicago close more neighborhood schools to address overcrowding?
