Charter schools CPS wanted closed could reopen next school year | Chicago Sun-Times
Three of four charter schools ordered closed in June by Chicago Public Schools could reopen in September, if the Illinois State Charter Commission votes Tuesday afternoon in favor of its own staff’s recommendations to grant the appeals.
Despite CPS allegations of insufficient academic progress over many years, Bronzeville Lighthouse Charter School, Betty Shabazz’ Sizemore campus and Amandla Charter School could continue next year under state oversight with some recommended conditions, including finding their own facilities by July 1.
The unprecedented overturning of CPS’ decision means a loss of state money the financially beleaguered district formerly received for each charter school student and a loss of any power over three more schools within the city’s borders.
And the timing couldn’t be worse for ongoing negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union; in its last contract offer, CPS offered to cap the number charter schools since the commission rendered moot the public schools system’s ability to control how many charter schools the city has.
Commission staff, which made site visits to each of the South Side schools, reviewed records and held earlier hearings at each campus, recommended to the appointed nine-member commission to grant the schools’ appeals. Previously, the appointed panel evaluated the denial of applications for schools that wanted to open.
CPS, which abruptly changed its charter school quality policy earlier this school year, stood by its decision, saying that all three schools “for years have failed to provide our children with the quality education they deserve.”
“As even the most ardent supporters of charter schools have said time and again, charter schools must be held accountable,” spokesman Michael Passman said in a statement. “CPS remains hopeful that the Illinois Charter Commission will not ignore quality academic standards for charter schools and will refuse to allow these schools that are failing students to re-open.”
CPS attorney Rucchi Verma also argued that the commission can only rule on Betty Shabazz’ entire operating charter, which governs three campuses including Sizemore, not just on Sizemore. Verma also said the commission lacks the power to authorize the whole charter since CPS has decided to close a campus not pull the charter.
All three schools packed a fieldhouse at Sherman Park, which the commission had chosen as a central location that could accommodate the many expected supporters who turned up in specially printed school t-shirts: #SaveAmandla, One Vision One Team One BLCS.
Naomi Jackson, 16, rode a bus through snowy streets from Amandla, 6800 S.
