Chicago Public School officials have trimmed their list of schools that are under consideration for closure down to 129. There's still more trimming to be done and still some very unhappy parents.
The Board of Education says something has to happen because it's facing a big budget shortfall. Cuts have to be made and the 129 school on the list released Wednesday evening include more than a dozen schools on the West Side.
An outspoken critic of the Chicago Public Schools, Alderman Bob Fioretti, was preaching to the converted at a tense school meeting. The crowd included parents concerned about the fate of their children's schools, and activists from the Chicago Teachers Union defending their jobs. There was virtually no explanation about the forces driving the Board of Education to shrink the system, including the billion dollar projected budget shortfall and the fact that a system with 511,000 seats has only 403,000 students.
Alderman Michael Chandler says he thinks it's a good thing the schools have fewer kids.
"I think we should be bold enough to find the resources that are necessary," Chandler says."
"I think we need more time to vet this whole issue," says Alderman Scott Waguespack. "I don't think we should run in and start closing schools. Over time perhaps we could do that, but this has been such a rush job, I don't think it matches up to what people really see out there. "
The leader of the Chicago Public Schools, Barbara Byrd Bennett, told FOX 32 News that there are two key principals that she's going to observe. One is that any transfers of students will proceed smoothly and safely, and that all students who move to a new school will move to a higher and better performing school than the one that is being closed.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:03 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:03:10 GMT
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:45:07 GMT
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:50:46 GMT
The attorney for an 87-year-old woman who accuses Donald Trump of cheating her in a skyscraper condo deal told Chicago jurors on Wednesday that the "Apprentice" star lied on the witness stand.
Jurors have withdrawn to begin deliberations about whether Donald Trump cheated an 87-year-old who claims the "Apprentice" star cheated her in property deal.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:03 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:03:10 GMT
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:03 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:03:42 GMT
Protesters of Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's plan to close dozens of city schools have been removed from a school board meeting in Chicago and from the State Capitol in Springfield.
Protesters of Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's plan to close dozens of city schools have been removed from a school board meeting in Chicago and from the State Capitol in Springfield.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:54 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:54:21 GMT
A one-of-a-kind Chicago Public School is doing very well amid the controversy surrounding CPS closures, and the final Chicago Board of Education vote on the plan scheduled for Wednesday.
A one-of-a-kind Chicago Public School is doing very well amid the controversy surrounding CPS closures, and the final Chicago Board of Education vote on the plan scheduled for Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:44:55 GMT
In Englewood, Altgeld Elementary is shutting down, but staying open. Wentworth Elementary is moving there and taking over, making everyone unhappy about something.
In Englewood, Altgeld Elementary is shutting down, but staying open. Wentworth Elementary is moving there and taking over, making everyone unhappy about something.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:28:58 GMT
Members of the Board of Education will likely vote Wednesday to shut down dozens of schools, but sources tell FOX 32 News that at least a few on a list of 54 proposed closings will likely be spared.
Members of the Board of Education will likely vote Wednesday to shut down dozens of schools, but sources tell FOX 32 News that at least a few on a list of 54 proposed closings will likely be spared.
