The Renaissance School Fund, organizers of the expo, had planned a rally at the event to promote charter and other non-traditional public schools, as well as CPS schools, in general. But after parents from the public hearing showed up at Soldier Field, th
Not only did many parents turnout Saturday at a public hearing at CPS headquarters, 125 S. Clark St., to voice their opinion about a proposal to consolidate Abbott elementary school, 3630 S. Wells St., but nearly 4,000 parents attended the 2nd Annual News Schools Expo at Soldier Field where the public debate continued. The Renaissance School Fund, organizers of the expo, had planned a rally at the event to promote charter and other non-traditional public schools, as well as CPS schools, in general. But after parents from the public hearing showed up at Soldier Field, the issue of school closings was once again raised. The rally was part of the 2nd Annual New Schools Expo sponsored by The Renaissance Schools Fund. Angry parents like Jaxson Anderson, 28, who attended the rally, said they are fed up with the rollercoaster ride CPS takes students on every few years. Anderson’s 8-year-old daughter attends Reed Elementary on the South Side. The school may be phased out. “First CPS phased out Englewood High School and now they’ve decided to phase out my daughter’s school,” she said. “Why is it that the schools in Englewood get picked on by the system? Do they think all schools in this community are expendable?” In January, CPS proposed to the Chicago Board of Education that changes be made to 20 schools––including closing them.
______
To read the rest of this article, subscribe to our digital or paper edition. For previous editions, contact us for details.
Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
About Post Author
