Getting a Bit Ugly

Yesterday Chicago ministers called for "bold action" to save 'failing schools' while, at almost the same time, Local School Council (LSC) members/parents were about to hold a news conference regarding the filing of a lawsuit designed to stop the school shakeups.

The ministers present at CPS headquarters are largely in support of the school closings and 'turnarounds.' The LSC members believe that the schools targeted for closure or altered, in some other fashion, should get the funds slated to go to the 'turnarounds.'

Therein lies one of the main sticking points. LSC members and the Chicago Teachers Union contend that the schools, which are underperforming, will do better if the CPS provided the necessary resources. The CPS contends that they have assisted the underperforming schools. This is just one of the 'bones of contention.'

Another sore point is the fact that LSC and the CTU feel that a poor performing school, once it is on the radar as such, will go without funds to the point of degradation. Once that occurs, contend these groups, the CPS comes in to 'shakeup' (closing or turnaround) the alleged 'failing school.'

Another sore spot involves a CPS official. Some citizens don't like the fact that Tim Cawley, who is the current Chief Administration Officer at CPS, once worked for the Academy for Urban School Leadership. This organization is the primary company responsible for 'taking over' a number of schools in the CPS system. Too some, it is a conflict of interest.

One thing is certain. Too little groundwork was laid by CPS to involve the neighborhood, schools, teachers and LSC in such important decisions. CPS can say they have had meetings within these schools but the fact remains that too little was done to create a real buy in by the people in the trenches. Until that occurs the reform, in the guise of closings and turnarounds, will be ineffective.

Dick