According to an article from WGN News, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has decided which schools the district will be closing and has notified principals of the schools of their decision. The final closure list is reportedly whittled down to 52 schools and the official list, along with the new schools students will be attending, is set to be released by CPS late Thursday afternoon. However, several school officials have already confirmed their closure status to the media.
Here are some facts and details about the CPS school closings announcement and the responses from community members:
* The Chicago Tribune reported that Clarice Berry, president of Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, commented that the principals of the schools slated for closure were informed at about 6 a.m. this morning.
* Additionally, sources indicated that CPS will consolidate or overhaul staff at about 20 other schools, meaning that the announcement today will impact about 70 individuals schools.
* If Chicago goes ahead with closing all the schools this year, it would be the highest number of school closures ever by a single district in one year.
* Several city aldermen with schools to be shut down in their wards were also notified by CPS, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
* Ald. Howard Brookins, 21st Ward, confirmed that two schools in his South Side ward, Mahalia Jackson Elementary and Garrett A. Morgan Elementary, will be closing.
* Community members, especially parents and local leaders, expressed disappointment and concern over the well-being of students impacted by the changes, as well as their plans to fight for their schools.
* Trumbull Elementary, with roughly 32 percent of its students enrolled in special education learning, is also on the list. Trumbull Local Schools Council member Ali Burke vowed to fight to keep the school open and criticized CPS' calculation since special education classes need to be smaller.
* WBEZ noted that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has been highly critical of CPS' actions, specifically closing regular schools and opening charter schools, and has repeatedly called for a moratorium.
* CTU president Karen Lewis stated, "This city cannot destroy that many schools. It will send our district into chaos. These actions will put our students' safety and academics at risk and will further destabilize our neighborhoods."
* CPS has continuously highlighted its $1 billion budget deficit, underenrollment, and underutilization issues that have prompted the need for school shut downs.
* Another Chicago Sun-Times article listed several other schools already confirmed by officials: Courtenay Elementary Language Arts Center, Herbert Elementary, King Elementary, Lafayette Elementary, Pershing West, and Calhoun Elementary.
* The final list and a schedule of shutdowns and other staff overhauls will still have to be approved before being enacted.
Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. Currently pursuing her master's degree in environmental science, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.
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