Parents ask board to investigate political outreach by outside group at school back‑to‑school festival

At the public comment segment, two Pierce Elementary parents asked the board to consider an ethics investigation after the group Common Ground Collective staffed a table at a school back‑to‑school event and handed out flyers bearing QR codes linked to endorsed candidates. Adam Johnson described the organization as "a dark money organization" and asked whether donor disclosure could be required on flyers distributed at school events.

Sarah Lazar corroborated that the group did not present itself as political and alleged that a major backer (transcribed as Michael Saxs) supports policies at odds with the Chicago Teachers Union. She also said the group paid for event amenities, including a DJ, and raised concerns about unequal access for supporters of other candidates. Both parents requested the district consider whether such in‑school outreach should trigger disclosure or an ethics review.