Can Acero Schools Be Saved? Parents Left Scrambling As Students Mourn ‘A Really Good School’
Pilsen Students Grieve Closure of Casas Elementary, Parents Outraged
PILSEN — Parents are scrambling to figure out where they’ll send their kids to school next year after Acero announced its plan to close seven charter schools after this academic year — and some plan to fight the closures.
The Loss of a "Really Good School"
About 2,000 students will be impacted by the closures at Cruz, which serves students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and at elementary schools Casas, Cisneros, Fuentes, Paz, Santiago, and Tamayo. The charter school network, which altogether has 13 schools, serves mostly Latino neighborhoods.
Evelyn Vazquez, an eighth-grader at Casas Elementary, said, "It’s honestly really sad. A lot of people don’t know about our school, but it’s a really good school." Her classmate, Jaslene Plascencia, added, "We’re gonna be the last class to graduate."
Parents Frustrated and In limbo
Teagan Powers, mother of a second-grader at Casas Elementary, is considering enrolling her son in a Catholic school in Pilsen or finding another charter school, even if she has to go outside her neighborhood. "He was in public school before, and it was just a lack of communication," she said.
Glenda Ortiz, a mother of a fourth-grader, expressed her concerns, "Is the school closing for sure? I’m very worried. We haven’t been here for long, and I don’t know where another school is."
Teachers’ Union Calls for Action
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is pushing for action, calling on CPS to "demand the [Acero] company prioritize student success and stability" or to absorb management of the schools. Rebecca Martinez, CTU campaigns director and Latine Caucus Member, said, "If the company won’t provide a stable educational environment for its enrolled students, then it’s up to CPS and Springfield to intervene to protect their opportunity for success."
CPS Leadership Reacts
Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez assured that the district is "working with Acero" to come up with a plan to help families, but he emphasized the charter school network’s independence, stating, "Unfortunately, by law, charters are independent institutions. I don’t have any authority over them. With that, we will come up with a plan."
Parents Rally to Save the School
Casas parents, including sisters Gloria and Genoveva Miranda, are leading a charge to save the school. "Why are they telling us there isn’t enough funding when there is funding for other things?" Gloria Miranda asked. "Don’t we supposedly care about education? How are we going to keep kids from the streets if we shut down schools?"
Conclusion
As parents and students face the uncertainty of the school closures, it remains to be seen whether Acero’s controversial decision will be reversed. One thing is clear: the community has lost faith in the charter school network and is demanding action from CPS and Springfield to protect the educational environment and stability of the students affected.
FAQs
Q: Why are Acero schools closing?
A: The charter school network cites enrollment declines and exponential increases in personnel and leased facilities maintenance costs and expenses outpacing K-12 education appropriations.
Q: What is the proposed timeline for the closures?
A: The closures are slated to take place at the end of the current academic year.
Q: How will students be affected by the closures?
A: Over 2,000 students will be impacted by the closures, with some 500 students at each of the six schools affected.
Q: What is the current plan for students affected by the closures?
A: Acero has not provided a concrete plan for students, and parents are expressing frustration and concern for their children’s education.
