Chicago parents and residents are fired up after countless hours of protesting were denied by a vote to close 50 schools by the Chicago Board of Education yesterday. Chicago Public Schools, the third largest school system in the U.S., faces a $1 billion budget deficit, says The Washington Post. The decision is the most widespread school closing thus far in the country. All but one closing will happen at the end of the 2012-13 school year, and the remaining closing will happen at the end of the 2014 school year.
Protesters Disagree
At a rally earlier this week, 9-year-old Asean Johnson of Marcus Garvey Elementary spoke out against the closures in front of an energetic crowd, saying, "You should be investing in these schools, not closing them. You should be supporting these schools, not closing them. We shall not be moved today. We are going to City Hall ... We are not going down with out a fight." He closed his speech with with a chant of "Education is a right, that is why we have to fight!" Marcus Garvey Elementary was one of four schools among potential closures that the board voted to keep open on Wednesday.
Besides the impact of kids being moved into full classrooms, resulting in less teacher time for each student, the closings will put kids in dangerous territory, say protesters. The closings will heavily impact underprivileged neighborhoods and have kids crossing gang lines to get to their new schools. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has promised more police intervention for these types of situations, but protesters say there have been budget cuts to the police force, as well. In addition, teachers will lose their jobs.
Kim Morgan, whose children are in the Wildwood district, said, "What about schools like Wildwood, who are crowded? What are parents to do when they are told the classrooms are full? We shouldn't have to find alternatives in our community because other neighborhood schools are closed."
Many Chicagoans spoken with felt betrayed by CPS and Mayor Emanuel. "This is a disgrace to our kids, and they should be ashamed. Every child hurt in any way by this will be on their hands," said Julie Jones.
"I'm terrified of what this vote could mean for my kids. Their education and safety is not something that should be gambled with, especially in the Lawndale area," said Norma Aguilar.
Tonya Richardson, parent of a child at Peirce Elementary, said, "Mayor Emanuel lost my vote. It is outrageous what he is doing to the kids of Chicago, and I won't support it."
Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis also had some harsh words for Mayor Emanuel earlier this week: "This policy is racist ... This is cowardly, and it's the ultimate bullying job. Mayor Rahm Emanuel should be ashamed of himself."
Proponents of the Closings
Mayor Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett believe the move will improve Chicago's school system. The closings will lighten the financial burden and offer a more competitive market for hiring teachers, say closings supporters. There are 403,000 students enrolled in CPS and seats for over 511,000. Nearly 140 of 681 CPS schools are more than 50-percent empty, reports CNN.
This has resident Lisa Nunez in favor of the closings. "It costs a fortune to run a school, and considering there are empty seats, this has to be done. My child will benefit in the long run by fixing the financial crisis the schools are suffering."
One Chicagoan whose child is not yet school age agreed with the closings for her child's future. "Hopefully, this will infuse enough money back into the schools so that programs aren't being cut. I want my child to experience every aspect of an education, which should include physical and art education," said Rogers Park parent Reina Garcia.
http://news.yahoo.com/chicagoans-react-controversial-vote-close-50-city-schools-162200653.html
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