Parents Demand Answers about the Destination of Steel Charter Schools
Uncertainty Surrounds Future of Five Schools
Almost two months after the Chicago Education Board voted to save five of the seven steel charter schools scheduled to close, officials of the Public Schools of Chicago (CPS) and the private operator of the schools have not yet reached an agreement for the schools to remain open.
The members of the School Board joined the steel teachers and parents to ask for the status of those conversations at a meeting of the Board on Wednesday, expressing their impatience for the lack of clarity about the future of the charter schools administered privately and financed with public funds.
Frustration Grows among Parents and Teachers
“I feel like a scratched album,” said Stephanie Gómez, mother of two children at Esmeraldo Santiago de Acero Emerald School in Humboldt Park and a third child who graduated from school. “This is the ninth meeting of the Education Board I have attended in the last four months.”
“Fifty-four days ago we received relief and we were very happy,” he said. “But will our schools really be open next year? Why does steel continue to operate as if schools were closing at the end of this year?”
Gómez said steel officials sent an email to families last week with very little information, as well as CPS officials this week. He urged the executive director of CPS, Pedro Martínez, to be more transparent.
“Transparency was a great request, and, at this time, no one is being transparent,” said Gomez. “I want to know about you, and also this Chamber, executive director Martínez. We want to know what is being done. Will my children go to this school next year?”
Board President and CPS Executive Director Respond
After the public comments, the president of the Board of Education, Sean Harden, said: “It is very important for us to reach a conclusion very quickly,” and asked Martínez to share any update.
“This is still a priority for me, I know it is a priority for the Board,” Martínez said. “We are diligently working on the best possible solution. We hope to give you more information as soon as possible, but know that this will continue to be a priority.”
Parents’ Demands for Transparency
Unsatisfied with Martínez’s response, the group of parents and steel educators shouted questions to the executive director and the members of the Board: “There is more. Can you tell us something else? What is in the plan?”
CPS Statement
In response to the questions of Chicago Sun-Times and Wbez, CPS officials said after the meeting that “we understand uncertainty and difficulties” and that they are “involved in productive discussions to solve the financial challenges facing the seven scheduled campuses for closing. A formal decision of the Education Board in the coming weeks is expected.”
The leaders of the steel charter schools did not respond to a request for comments.
Conclusion
The uncertainty surrounding the future of the steel charter schools has left parents and teachers frustrated and concerned. The lack of transparency from CPS and the steel charter school operators has only added to the uncertainty, leaving many wondering what the future holds for these schools.
FAQs
* What is the current status of the steel charter schools?
+ The schools are still open, but the future of the schools is uncertain.
* What is the reason for the uncertainty?
+ The reason is the lack of agreement between CPS and the steel charter school operators on the future of the schools.
* What is the timeline for a decision?
+ A formal decision from the Education Board is expected in the coming weeks.
* What is being done to address the financial challenges facing the schools?
+ CPS officials are involved in productive discussions to solve the financial challenges facing the seven scheduled campuses for closing.
