The Chicago School Board unanimously approved a proposal Wednesday to make changes, such as closings, to 16 schools over the objection of parents, students and the Chicago Teachers Union.
The Chicago School Board unanimously approved a proposal Wednesday to make changes, such as closings, to 16 schools over the objection of parents, students and the Chicago Teachers Union. “Closing a school is not an easy task nor is it popular,” said Ron Huberman, CEO of Chicago Public Schools. “But it is our responsibility to be inclusive and open-minded so that we achieve an end result that benefits the students, parents, faculty and community.” Typically when a school is consolidated, the teaching staff moves over to the receiving school, but that is not definite. The Chicago Teachers Union is not happy with the possibility that some teachers would be displaced. “Today’s (Wednesday) unanimous vote demonstrates it is not about improving schools for our children,” said CTU President Marilyn Stewart. “During the Board’s public participation session, educators, parents, residents all pleaded for a moratorium, and their pleas were disregarded.” Prior to the board voting to make changes, Huberman had removed the following six schools from the “hit” list: Peabody Elementary School, 1444 W. Augusta Ave.; Las Casas, 8401 S. Saginaw Ave,; Yale Elementary School, 7025 S. Princeton Ave.; Hamilton Elementary School, 1650 W. Cornelia Ave.; Holmes Elementary School, 955 W. Garfield Blvd.; and Global Vision High School, 2710 E. 89th St. Huberman added that effective this fall, the following schools would see changes made to improve the quality of education for the students. Consolidated schools Davis Developmental, 9101 S. Jeffrey Blvd., will merge into the Langston Hughes Building, 240 W. 104th St.; Medill, 1301 W. 14th St., merged into Smyth, 1059 W. 13th St.; and Schiller, 640 W. Scott St., merged into Jenner, 1119 N. Cleveland Ave.; Abbott Elementary, 3630 S. Wells St., will be consolidated with Hendricks Elementary School, 4316 S. Princeton Ave. Turnaround schools Fenger Academy High School, 11220 S. Wallace St.; Dulles, 6311 S. Calumet Ave., Johnson, 1420 S. Albany Ave.; and Bethune, 3030 W. Arthington St.
Carpenter, 1250 W. Erie St.; Hamilton, 1650 W. Cornelia Ave.; Lathrop, 1440 S. Christiana Ave.; Reed, 6350 S. Stewart Ave. and Best Practice High School, 2040 W. Adams St. Closed South Chicago Elementary School, 8255 S. Houston Ave.; Princeton Elementary School, 5125 S. Princeton Ave.; Nia Middle School, 2040 W. Adams St.; and Foundations Elementary School, 2040 W. Adams St. ______ Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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