Chicago Parents Rally Against School Closures Amid Education Budget Crisis

October 31, 2024
Chicago Parents Rally Against School Closures Amid Education Budget Crisis
  • Parents at Fuentes Elementary School in Chicago, including Miriam Ortolaza and Angelica Juarez, organized a demonstration against the planned closure of their school, which is one of seven schools in the Acero charter network set to close this year.

  • The closures will impact approximately 2,000 students and 250 workers, primarily in working-class Hispanic communities, with over 100 affected students being recent immigrants.

  • Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration has indicated that significant sacrifices may be necessary from educators and parents to address a $1.2 billion public school deficit for the upcoming school year, worsened by the expiration of federal COVID school funding.

  • There is an urgent call for parents, teachers, and community members to unite against school closures to protect public education rights.

  • These closures are part of a larger trend across the United States, with numerous schools in cities like Milwaukee, Seattle, San Francisco, and nearly 100 more in the Chicago Public Schools facing similar threats.

  • Miriam, a parent, emphasized the importance of her child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and criticized the closure decision, arguing that it disregards the needs of working-class families and students.

  • Aaron, a special education teacher, condemned the closure as a breach of public trust, asserting that schools should not be treated like businesses and calling for recognition of students' rights to quality education.

  • Carson, a music teacher at Fuentes, highlighted the emotional impact of the school’s potential closure on both students and teachers, stating it would displace 2,000 students and disrupt a close-knit community.

  • Acero's management board stated that the Chicago Public Schools district supports the closures, citing schools that are 'no longer profitable' as justification for the decision.

  • Soren, an English teacher, expressed concern over the lack of notice given to staff about the school closures and warned about the broader implications for the education system and future generations.

  • The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) held a separate demonstration the following day, with officials suggesting that the charter network could be pressured to reconsider its decision.

  • Demonstrators chanted 'Whose schools? Our schools!' as they gathered to demand the school remain open, supported by the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Committee's statement against the closures.

Summary based on 1 source


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