A Hard Hit

Any way you parse it, this was a huge hit.  CPS is closing 54 schools and 61 buildings.  Never before has the nation seen such a huge closing of its schools.  Why?  Well, the fact of the matter is that many of the schools shuttered have many empty seats.  Now just why they are empty is another critical issue and is at the heart of the closings.  More on that in the days to come. 

Sadly, many of the closing are in parts of the city that can ill afford any more harm.  The westside and southside were the two areas hardest hit with the closings.  By the way, I know a good number of the schools being closed have performed well on recent ISAT testing.  I wonder if that was taken into account?

30,000 children will be affected by the closings and at least 1,000 teachers received pink slips.  Many more security, cafeteria and administrative people also lost their jobs.

We work with many of the schools that are to be closed...closed forever!  Among those we work with whose programs and buildings came to an end yesterday are; Bethune, King, Lafayette, Parkman, Pope, Songhai, and West Pullman.  Other schools we work with will see their programs end.  These include Banneker and Dumas.

Still other schools we partner with will see their buildings shut down while they move to another school.  Good luck with that !!  The Wentworth falls into this category.

Yes, there are empty seats.  Closings these schools may help solve a financial crisis to an extent but the closings don't really address the fundamental problem.  The real issue is long term neglect.  Now the schools are taking a hit for this.

Dick