Chicago Public Schools on Tuesday released its list of proposed school closures and consolidations for the 2015-2016 school year.
“During the past few months, we have engaged LSCs, parents and principals throughout the city about how to best modify schools so that they align with the needs of families and communities,” CPS CEO Forrest Claypool said in a statement. “Community input has played an important role in informing these proposed actions, and we believe these modifications will allow us to better use our limited resources to meet students’ needs.”
The full list includes:
- Consolidation of Austin Polytechnical Academy, Austin Business and Entrepreneurship, and VOISE Academy, and Boundary Change of Frederick A. Douglass Academy
- Consolidation of Mary Mapes Dodge Renaissance Elementary Academy and Morton School of Excellence
- Co-location of John Spry Community School with Maria Saucedo Elementary Scholastic Academy and Telpochcalli Elementary School
- Co-location of KIPP Elementary School with Orr Academy High School
- Closure of Moses Montefiore Special Elementary School Due to Zero Student Enrollment
- Closure of Marine Military Math and Science Academy Due to Zero Student Enrollment
The announcement comes days before the Chicago Teachers Union is expected to take a strike vote.
A practice strike vote was taken in early November, and while the word "strike" did not appear on the ballot, it was considered a preview for what's to come. In that vote, 97 percent of CTU members said then they would vote to authorize a strike if needed.
Claypool announced in September that the district could potentially cut 5,000 jobs due to the ongoing Illinois budget stalemate by February.
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CTU President Karen Lewis said the layoffs would require reprogramming nearly 700 schools, and they would affect between 175,000 and 300,000 students, depending on how the layoffs are structured.
