Introduction to the Crisis
The future of Chicago’s only arts-focused public high school is uncertain after the arts school board decided not to renew its contract with Chicago Public Schools due to financial strain.
The Decision and Its Implications
In a letter sent Thursday to families and staff at the Chicago High School for the Arts, Executive Director Tina Boyer Brown and Principal Nestor Corona alerted the community about the board’s vote. “Due to increasing financial challenges, the ChiArts board recently made the very difficult decision that it will not submit a renewal application for the next academic year. This means the board will not manage the school after the end of this school year,” administration wrote in the letter.
Impact on the Current Academic Year
The decision will not affect the current academic year, and school officials are working with CPS to “create a sustainable plan that protects what makes ChiArts so special — its tuition-free, pre-professional arts training and rigorous academics,” the letter read.
About ChiArts
ChiArts, which sits at the border of Humboldt Park and West Town at 2714 W. Augusta Blvd., is a privately managed contract school funded by CPS and private donors that’s been open for 15 years. It enrolls about 550 students across the city, most of them Black and Hispanic, according to CPS data. The students get both an academic and arts education. Like charter schools, ChiArts has its own independent board.
Background and Challenges
The school’s contract was renewed last year by CPS for a two-year term and is currently on financial remediation until 2026. CPS only supported a two-year recommendation because the school received a “Does Not Meet Standards” rating in the financial and operational performance criteria. In recent years, ChiArts has struggled with disorganized leadership and staff turnover, budget shortfalls, and layoffs that almost led to a teacher strike in 2023.
Response from CPS and the Community
CPS officials said in a statement that no long-term plans have been made at this time regarding ChiArts’ contract, which will require more review and conversations. The district said officials were notified earlier this week of the arts board’s decision. “Any decisions about the school’s future will require more review, conversations, and collaboration. CPS will continue to collaborate with the ChiArts Board of Directors, school leadership, staff, students, and families throughout this process,” a district spokesperson said in a statement. “Our shared priority is to ensure that students’ learning experiences remain consistent, their artistic and academic opportunities continue to grow, and families stay informed as decisions are made.”
Reaction from the Chicago Teachers Union
The Chicago Teachers Union issued a statement Friday, saying it was disappointed to hear about ChiArts’ contract not getting renewed and that it points to a “cycle of uncertainty that accompanies privatization and school closures.” “Without the charter renewal, 600 families will have their high school dreams called into question,” the union said in the statement. “Our movement’s efforts to expand public school arts programming will be undermined by a private board of directors, and educators and artists who built a thriving arts specialty school face the risk of losing their jobs.” The decision is creating uncertainty in the school community for teachers, parents, and students, the union said. “These abrupt decisions destabilize students’ learning, upend families’ lives, and leave educators unable to plan for the future,” union officials said.
Community Actions
ChiArts students staged a sit-in at the school Friday morning and were planning a walkout midday. ChiArts leadership held a virtual meeting with staff and families Thursday to answer questions about the decision, and another meeting will be held at the school Monday, according to the letter from the administration. A third virtual meeting will be held Tuesday, and CPS plans to host more parent meetings to share updates in the near future.
Conclusion
The future of ChiArts remains uncertain as the school community navigates the implications of the board’s decision not to renew its contract with CPS. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the path forward for this unique and valuable institution.
FAQs
- Q: What is happening to ChiArts?
A: The ChiArts board has decided not to renew its contract with Chicago Public Schools due to financial challenges. - Q: How will this decision affect the current academic year?
A: The decision will not affect the current academic year, but the school’s future beyond that is uncertain. - Q: What kind of school is ChiArts?
A: ChiArts is a privately managed contract school that offers tuition-free, pre-professional arts training and rigorous academics. - Q: How many students does ChiArts enroll?
A: ChiArts enrolls about 550 students from across the city, with a majority being Black and Hispanic. - Q: What has been the reaction from the community?
A: The community, including the Chicago Teachers Union, has expressed disappointment and concern over the uncertainty this decision brings to students, families, and staff.
