Chicago Public Schools CEO reverses decision to deny CTU request to cancel classes on May Day

CHICAGO (WLS) -- For almost a year, the Chicago Teachers Union has been urging the district to cancel classes for May Day protests.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Dr. Macquline King denied the request, but reversed course during a school board meeting closed session Wednesday.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

May Day is when organized labor comes together to celebrate workers' rights. This year, nationwide protests are planned to stand up against President Donald Trump's policies.

For months, the CTU has been urging CPS to close school on May 1 to allow teachers, students and parents to participate.

"We've made this known that this was our intention to participate in this historic day of action nationally, not just locally, because of the stakes that are so high," CTU Vice President Jackson Potter said.

Dr. King, the recently appointed permanent CPS CEO, denied the union's request to close school on May 1. She explained, in a lengthy memo sent to the school board president, the day off would cause too many distractions to planned academic events and other activities.

SEE ALSO | Chicago Board of Education approves Macquline King as permanent CPS CEO

"We have college decision day on May 1. We have CT makeups," School Board Member Jenni Custer said. "May 1 is Friday, and AP tests start on Monday that very week."

Custer and others supported King's initial decision, but during a closed school board meeting session Wednesday, they say King reversed course, allowing the CTU's request to close May 1 in exchange for a planned professional development day in June.

"We've been trying to set this up and establish a clear direction for more than a year," Potter said. "It finally got done. We're sorry about the hiccups. We'll work through those, and it's going to be an amazing, incredible day of solidarity."

Custer, who is running for school board president, supports unions and May Day, but not at the expense of students and their families.

"School is the place where kids get two meals a day," Custer said. "School is the place where parents who work know that their kids are safe. School is the place where it's really our responsibility to make sure that we're educating these kids."

SEE ALSO | What to know about the race for Chicago Public Schools board president

CTU says it is working with CPS to plan May Day events for students. City Council Committee Education Chair Ald. Jeanette Taylor says national politics should stay out of it. If students have a day off, she suggests well planned localized civic activities for all students

"I would love to see CPS do a day of service where we're cleaning the community, where we meet our community members," Ald. Taylor said. "Well, hey, are we signing up to register to vote?"

So far, there has been no official announcement from CPS about May 1,With less than a month to go, parents say they need to time to plan.

Dr. King released the following statement Thursday evening:
"My recommendation to the Chicago Board of Education for weeks and again during this week's Agenda Review Committee meeting, has been to maintain May 1 as an instructional day for students. As a career educator, I believe every minute in the classroom is vital for our students.

"My position has not changed.

"If the Board chooses to change the approved 2025-26 academic calendar, they should convene a special Board meeting for a formal vote on this matter as soon as possible. Our staff, students and families need a clear understanding of what to expect on May 1."