No high schools would be shut down under proposals in a preliminary report from the commission on school closings appointed by Chicago Public Schools chief Barbara Byrd-Bennett.
Taking high schools out of the equation was the biggest surprise in the report, which also recommended that the district’s best-performing schools, classified as Level 1, as well as Level 2 schools that are showing progress, not be considered for closing.
The commission also recommends that schools that have recently been consolidated, and schools in a “turnaround” academic situation, not be closed.
CPS has said utilization will be the key factor in closing schools, but the commission recommends that under-utilized schools that are in the process of adding grades be kept open. So should schools with more than 600 students, under the report’s proposals.
Faced with dwindling enrollment, the district is expected to close a number of schools at the end of this school year – sources in September said 80 to 120 schools could be on the block.
District officials have said they are awaiting full recommendations from the Commission on School Utilization in early March before they release an actual list of schools to be closed.
While CPS has said it will take the recommendations into account, Byrd-Bennett has also said the district is not bound to follow all the suggestions.
The district has identified more than 300 “under-enrolled” schools.
The commission has held meetings with residents and community groups across the city, but its role in the school closing process has repeatedly come into question by those who oppose school closings. Critics have also questioned the ability of the commission to remain independent from Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his appointed school administration.
While Byrd-Bennett has said she expects a list of schools to close from the commission. Commission members have said they are not expected to provide a list of schools to target only recommendations on “the best method” to identify schools for closing and which schools should be removed from consideration.
Panel recommends against closing any Chicago public high schools
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Panel recommends against closing any Chicago public high schools
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Panel recommends against closing any Chicago public high schools
