Thursday, February 18, 2010

5 city schools get reprieve, won't close :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education

5 city schools get reprieve, won't close :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education:

"Five city schools were spared from closure or other major shake-ups -- in several cases because of student safety concerns -- under a series of last-minute reprieves announced Wednesday by Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman.


Huberman made the changes to his original list of 14 shake-ups just days before a City Council hearing on the school closure process."



A resolution by Aldermen Pat Dowell (3rd) and Freddrenna Lyle (6th) contends that confusing criteria were used to pick schools for shake-ups with "little or no input'' from the community and little time to respond. Both aldermen also want a one-year moratorium on closings.
A City Council Education Committee hearing on the resolution is scheduled for Monday, just two days before School Board members are to vote on the new recommendations.
Huberman said Wednesday his latest plans show he listened to the community. He said he took very seriously concerns about gang conflicts, arguing that it's tough to foresee some potential problems until the shake-ups are announced.