Acero Constitution Colleges neighborhood members raged throughout an emotional assembly Wednesday night time in Gage Park towards the non-public group’s management, urging the board to reverse course on its plan to shutter seven colleges subsequent yr.
Dozens of scholars, academics, dad and mom, workers and Chicago Lecturers Union members attended a rally exterior Acero Idar Elementary College forward of the board assembly.
They chanted “Whose colleges? Our colleges” and “Save our colleges.” Many held up indicators studying “Hold Tamayo open” and “Hold our colleges open.”
Reyna Rodriguez, mom of scholars at Esmeralda Santiago — one of many colleges slated for closure — stated she doesn’t need to spend the vacations in search of a brand new college for her youngsters. She stated that if Acero CEO Richard Rodriguez can’t work out tips on how to maintain the colleges open, he ought to resign.
“I don’t need to have to fret considering, ‘Oh, are they going to shut the colleges, do I’ve to maintain in search of my son’s college?’” Reyna Rodriguez advised reporters on the rally. “Wealthy Rodriguez, make up your thoughts. When you can not do your work, stop my buddy.”
Throughout the board assembly, which was held inside the varsity’s gymnasium, Acero officers ceded their talking time to permit extra time for public remark. It was the primary time for the reason that closures had been introduced that households had an opportunity to face the board, CTU leaders stated. Greater than 200 individuals packed the gymnasium. Audio system, together with a number of younger youngsters, had harsh phrases for Acero leaders.
“It seems to us that you simply view college students as greenback indicators and prioritize creating wealth to giving college students an schooling,” stated Melanie Soto, an eighth grader at Sandra Cisneros Elementary, one other college that’s deliberate for closure.
“You aren’t solely leaving academics and college students with no colleges or jobs, you’re destabilizing and tearing aside our communities,” stated America Murillo, Soto’s classmate. “That is deeply disappointing as a result of we’re purported to look as much as you, Mr. Rodriguez.”
Many had the identical message for the board: “Disgrace on you.”
Acero introduced plans in October to shut seven of its 15 campuses on the finish of this college yr, citing rising bills and falling enrollment over the past a number of years. The colleges primarily serve Latino college students, and these could be the most important college closings ever in Chicago’s Latino communities, affecting 2,000 college students.
Acero has come below fireplace from dad and mom, college students, educators, the mayor and board members for the proposed closings. Among the many options proposed by CPS embody giving Acero extra money to proceed working the colleges for a short while and the district taking on the colleges.
Contributing: Sarah Karp, Nader Issa
