Not Again!!

As if nerves weren't already raw enough from the CPS school closures this past spring, the Chicago Sun-Times has reported that yet another factor could be used to close additional schools in the future.   Might be hard to believe but true.

The State of Illinois released new state guidelines, this past Tuesday, spelling out how a district can proceed to close a school(s) in case a building's conditions threaten the safety of students.l  Okay, we all know a building needs to be safe.   This has been the case, quite literally, forever.

Here's the rub.   Mayor Emanuel and CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett said there would be a five-year moratorium on closing schools.   CS spokeswoman Becky Carroll stated "our commitment to a 5-year moratorium on closing schools is clear."

This isn't so clear to the Chicago Teacher's Union.   The news of the published state guidelines hit the CTU brass like a ton of bricks.   To a person, they aren't so sure they can trust the mayor or the CPS administration when it comes to keeping their promise on not shuttering schools.

The original promise, at least to me, seemed to be a blanket statement declaring no more closures.   We shall see.   If more schools are closed; well, look out!

Dick