As I mentioned yesterday, CPS has an initial school closing list of 129, most of them on the west and south side of the city. Aside from looking at test scores, empty parts of the respective buildings and so forth one other feature needs to be thought of when it comes to the actual shuttering of schools.
Many of those on the chopping block are in some of the poorest parts of the city. Too often, unemployment, blight, crime, gangs and more prolifierate in portions of these neighborhoods. For far too long many of the areas have suffered from a lack of resources.
Thought about in another way, if an area is in a state of decline, however one wants to define it, doesn't it make sense to do something to build it up, to enhance it? Taking a school away from a community that already has enough difficulties is simply another way to continue the downward slide of said community. I guarantee that is exactly what will happen. Rob a community of one of its real assets and you will do real harm.
Areas where schools are about to be closed need assistance. Until this happens, people will continue to suffer a continuation of the same problems they now confront on a daily basis.
Dick
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