Families and Staff of Acero Charter Schools Demand School District Take Over or Keep Schools Open
Families and staff at seven Acero charter schools that are on the verge of closing are demanding that their private management keep the schools open or that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) take over their operations.
The plea was made at Thursday’s Board of Education agenda review meeting, where public speakers expressed their concerns about the impending closures.
"I am not an activist or a political actor. I don’t understand the politics around charter schools and I don’t care, and you shouldn’t care either," said Stephanie Gomez, a mother of three children at Acero Esmeraldo Santiago Elementary School in Humboldt Park. "Your responsibility is the well-being of your students, including mine and the rest of the children of Santiago and Acero."
///When asked by a board member if the school’s struggles are a reflection of the school’s performance, Gomez retorted, "This is not the normal story of academic failure, but rather the repetitive cycle of occurrence in Black and Latino communities. This will never happen in a school full of white or rich kids. Why isn’t the education of our children treated with the same urgency?"
Santiago is among seven schools that the Acero administration announced would close next school year due to financial constraints. The charter school network operates 15 campuses, and these closing schools enroll about 2,000 children.
Challenges in Charter School Model
Charter schools are publicly funded but privately managed. They are part of the CPS system, but have their own board and administration. The Board of Education and the CPS CEO have no direct control over those schools.
However, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s newly appointed school board members expressed concerns about the closures. "We found out the same day our community found out. As you can imagine, it was very worrying," Martínez said.
He noted that CPS just approved Acero’s status in 2023 for three years through 2026. He added that he would update the board and the public on the situation as he learns more. "Right now, we are in conversations to understand what is happening and understand the challenges," Martínez said.
Teachers and Parents Speak Out
Iliana Castro, a bilingual teacher at Cisneros Elementary School, whose daughter also attends there, said "educators and parents are devastated" to "lose not only a crucial educational institution but also a treasured community center." "As a child who grew up in this community, and now as a teacher serving this same community, I have seen firsthand the vital role that Acero Cisneros plays," she told the board. "It’s more than just a school. It is the heart of our neighborhood and a gathering place that brings our families together. It celebrates our heritage and provides a sense of stability for our students."
Closing Remarks
The fate of the seven Acero charter schools is still uncertain, with protesters demanding more transparency from the school district and the charter school administrator. For now, the community is left with more questions than answers.
FAQs
- Why are the Acero charter schools closing?
The schools are closing due to financial constraints, according to the charter school administration. - What is the current situation with the charter school’s status with CPS?
CPS approved Acero’s status in 2023 for three years through 2026. - What is the current relationship between the charter school and CPS?
The charter school is publicly funded but privately managed. The Board of Education and the CPS CEO have no direct control over those schools.
