A lot to the frustration of oldsters and Chicago Board of Training members, Acero Faculties leaders proposing to shut seven of their constitution colleges failed to indicate up at a gathering Wednesday, which they had been summoned to attend.
“I can solely suppose that Acero has not come as a result of they don’t have anything to say that addresses the wants of scholars and households,” board member Debby Pope stated in an unusually candid rebuke of Acero officers.
Pope’s feedback had been among the many most reducing in regards to the constitution faculty community, which has been in enterprise for about 25 years and was as soon as the darling of the varsity district and former mayors. CPS is planning to spend about $107 million this yr for the non-public operator to run its 15 constitution campuses.
Closing seven colleges in June would influence about 2,000 largely Latino college students and can be the biggest faculty closing within the Latino group in Chicago’s historical past.
The Board of Training handed a decision final month that directed Acero officers to come back to Wednesday’s assembly. It additionally threatened Acero that future contracts with CPS may very well be affected by the closures.
CPS officers stated they’ve met with Acero leaders many instances and confirmed that Acero has supplied CPS with all requested data. At Wednesday’s assembly, CPS Chief Portfolio Officer Alfonso Carmona stated Acero had not responded to the demand they attend the assembly and that CPS can’t pressure them.
“We now have no energy to get them right here,” stated Carmona. He then appeared into the digicam used to livestream the assembly and took the chance to ask them once more.
Later Wednesday, Acero officers responded angrily to the way it stated CPS senior workers dealt with the scenario, sharing a letter despatched from their legal professional to CPS dated Tuesday with a proof of why they weren’t coming to Wednesday’s assembly. “We respectfully assert that … it isn’t the suitable channel for the dialogue and backbone of those points,” they wrote.
CPS later stated some CPS officers, however not all, had seen the letter earlier than the board assembly.
Acero officers additionally say that senior CPS workers promised earlier than the assembly they might share a proposal with CPS’ potential options to the Acero scenario with them, however that by no means occurred.
Within the letter, the Acero officers argue they’re adopting a fiscally accountable and ahead wanting technique by closing the colleges. They stated they’re shuttering them as a result of a major drop in enrollment has meant much less cash from CPS on the identical time that bills have been rising.
As has occurred at different board conferences, dozens of oldsters attended, with a number of pleading with the board to save lots of the colleges.
Pope addressed them immediately: “We’re right here about your kids, and Acero is right here about their backside line, and people are two very totally different issues. I simply need to marvel why one would have a lot belief in a system the place these individuals are contemplating their actual property pursuits and never the true pursuits, that are the pursuits of your girls and boys, who’re finding out and studying and attempting to develop and develop.”
Like lots of the dad and mom, board members stated they’re suspicious of Acero’s motives and spending. An evaluation by WBEZ and the Chicago Solar-Occasions final month discovered that, whereas low enrollment and elevated prices are impacting Acero’s monetary well being, the group has $46 million in financial savings and investments — far more than it must fulfill bondholders.
Board of Training members assured dad and mom they’re working to search out options to the closings, however they didn’t say precisely what they’re contemplating. One stated board members speak in regards to the Acero colleges every single day. Additionally they stated they’re working to be sure that future contracts with constitution colleges stop closings “on this approach.” The newest Acero four-year contract with CPS runs by way of 2026.
Sarah Karp covers training for WBEZ. Observe her on X @WBEZeducation and @sskedreporter.
