CPS Board Pressures Acero Officials to Keep Charter Schools Open
The Chicago Board of Education passed a resolution Thursday to pressure Acero Schools to keep open seven campuses that the private operator plans to close.
But amid an ongoing leadership fight with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez, the board did not allow him to present his opinion on what the school district can do.
The proposed closures have sparked strong protests from students, parents, and staff who hope Acero will reverse course or CPS will provide a solution. And it’s the latest point of tension in the conflict between Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office and Martinez, which began with a disagreement this summer over how to handle a CPS budget shortfall and led the mayor to try to oust Martinez.
Johnson has criticized Martinez for not knowing Acero was in trouble and for not committing to keeping Acero schools open despite saying he was broadly opposed to closures.
Background
Acero announced plans to close the seven schools due to a funding shortfall and a substantial projected financial shortfall in 2026. The charter school operator said it followed the proper process in announcing the closures.
Board Response
The board approved a resolution requiring Acero officials to appear before them at a meeting on December, where they will be pressed to explain their decision-making process and provide a plan for keeping the schools open. The board also reaffirmed CPS as a welcoming district that will protect students from President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration mandates.
Potential Solutions
CPS presented options for the board to consider, including allowing the seven campuses to close in June and helping students transition to new schools, which is what has been done in the past when charter schools have closed. CPS suggested providing Acero with additional money to keep schools open during the 2025-26 school year and then have the district take over the campuses the following year.
Impact
The board’s decision to pressure Acero comes as a relief to some, but others are calling it a political move.
"The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) advocacy group called the special board meeting on Acero ‘political games’ and blamed the closures on rising costs due to the company’s contract with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU)," according to a statement.
Conclusion
The Chicago Board of Education has passed a resolution to pressure Acero Schools to keep open seven campuses that the private operator plans to close. The board’s decision comes amid an ongoing leadership fight with CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and a disagreement with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office over how to handle a CPS budget shortfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the Chicago Board of Education pushing Acero to keep open the seven campuses?
A: The board is pushing Acero to keep the campuses open due to a lack of transparency and alternative solutions presented by the private operator.
Q: Why are the proposed closures sparking controversy?
A: The closures are sparking controversy because they will affect over 2,000 students and their families, and there are concerns about the impact on the community.
Q: What are the potential solutions presented by CPS?
A: CPS presented options, including allowing the campuses to close in June and providing Acero with additional funding to keep schools open during the 2025-26 school year.
