By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012
     CHICAGO — A plan to push back the deadline for the Chicago Public Schools to release which schools they plan on closing for next school year has been met with criticism by Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis.
     CPS has until Dec. 1 to publish the list of schools they plan to close or consolidate, but school officials have asked for an extension until March 31, a move that the CTU calls against state law.
     CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett said in a statement Nov. 2 that “Our goal is to give the community the respect they deserve in this process, rebuild trust with CPS and create a path for right-sizing our district so that we can better invest resources in every child and every school in our city.”
     Lewis said she would like to not see any school closings, period.
     “We do not support delaying the date to announce which schools will be targeted by the district for disruptive actions,” Lewis said. “Given today’s assertion that CPS needs more time to unveil their newest community targets, the only announcement that makes sense on Dec. 1 is ‘There will be no school closings this year.’ We have called for a moratorium on all school actions until we have an analysis of the devastating impact these actions have on our students and neighborhoods.”
     In 2011, the CPS guidelines for closing a school included academically failing schools. This has changed in 2012 to include schools that are underused.
     A nine-member Commission on School Utilization has been formed, including a state senator, former CPD superintendent, a CPS parent, teachers, a Chicago alderman, and a community pastor.
     Lewis said there needs to be a further in-depth analysis of the ramifications of closing schools in Chicago.
     “Clearly we need real analysis, meaningful conversations and valued community input from the parents and groups who have been on the front lines of fighting for more resources and support for neighborhood schools,” said Lewis. “CPS must repair the damage that’s been done by these failed policies as it seeks to rebuild trust with the community. CPS owes Chicago a legitimate fiscal plan that details how we build and support school communities. Taxpayers deserve stability on Clark Street and an end to the revolving door that has created chaos in our school system. They should not change the law because they have a change in leadership.”

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.