Tempest

The shouting, wrangling and pleas are over for now.  Above the objections of aldermen (and alderwomen, if such a term exists), parents, local school councils members and other concerned citizens, the Chicago Board of Education moved to close 50 schools yesterday.  The only schools to be saved from the axe were Ericson, Garvey, M. Jackson, and Manierre.

Yes, I do realize - and agree - some consolidation must take place.  But the number of neighborhood schools being closed is simply too many and often for the wrong reasons.  Many communities rely on the public schools for many of its needs, education being but one of them.

But the damage has been done.  What remains is this.  How will we treat the children, families, educators, and others who have been let go, fired and displaced now and in the future?  The CPS and 'powers that be' have made their decision.  They had better come through in a big way.

That better start right now.  Before the year is over, CPS needs to find those lunch room workers, staff, administrators, security folks and janitors who are terrific and get them into schools that can use their services.

I, for one, will be watching to be sure.  If CPS doesn't make this work then the parents, CTU, children and citizens have every right to go right back to state, city and CPS officials and hold them accountable.  By the way, that is a very big part of democratic education.

Dick