Chicago Parents Rally Against School Closures Amid Education Budget Crisis
October 31, 2024Parents 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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World Socialist Web Site • Oct 31, 2024
Parents and teachers protest closure of Acero charter schools in Chicago: “2,000 of our students will be displaced”