The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and the Chicago Tribune are locked in a heated debate over teacher absenteeism in Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The Tribune recently published an editorial criticizing the high rate of teacher absences, citing state records showing over 41% of teachers missed 10 or more days during the 2023-24 school year. The editorial board pointed out this was a worsening trend, with absenteeism rising from 31% in 2016-17. The Tribune highlighted the median teacher salary of $95,000, noting it's higher than other large districts and suburban schools.
The CTU fired back, accusing the Tribune of "misogynistic" reporting and ignoring the realities faced by teachers, particularly working mothers. Roxanne Piersanti, a CPS teacher, argued the editorial overlooked factors like COVID-19 and the demands of working with numerous students daily. The CTU emphasized that teachers are utilizing their allotted sick leave and that absence rates in Chicago align with statewide trends.
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates also responded in an op-ed, accusing the Tribune of using "half-truths and cherry-picked statistics" to push an agenda. She argued that teacher attendance in CPS mirrors statewide patterns and defended teachers' use of paid time off. This public disagreement comes amidst other controversies surrounding the CTU, including recent scrutiny of President Davis Gates' decision to send her child to private school.
