[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5974460,"mediaKeyId","5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d","parentId",5839581,"title","Students and staff urge board to prevent midyear closure of EPIC Academy","audioSeconds",1834,"startMs",4426000,"endMs",6260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d&start=4426&end=6260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d/thumbnail_4426000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5974460/Illinois/Students-and-staff-urge-board-to-prevent-midyear-closure-of-EPIC-Academy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974460-376ee25c11c2eb6e28858813e7d82cd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1772871851&Signature=ob2bxfdSw1PS-Di7cRs0zGNyL9oonJ~nx3~AR3lBPO-XLyb~k9475~f0JTPXAOTdUtzN~7M2FqN~cN2jzmwrv1K1yO~uuP9oHoUYAZYQ69FG65FmPWYdsfb9GJLpg2hYN4CLWn2yShPkigpOAhOAdFRcPOPZ3QVXAOE6kPZakkZr~A1tOyD7T9Ui2oaAV3t7gBzvQd989ciVpRMDDdQpiBFm7uVP2OkYH29R3oWBNTJxEPXR4~Q8OOzt-33SOGpymOxr9w7VJez-4r6n8DfumvLqmSYnD-K0Q-jwPY9n0OXB8IW2SGl~JVpGTFw3DY70NZ6wGTSqemAMpO8cnXMprA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chicago Public Schools","date","2025-09-25T00:00:00Z","article","Fifty-seven seniors, teachers and alumni of EPIC Academy told the Chicago Board of Education on Sept. 25 that the charter operator’s decision to close the school risks disrupting students’ graduations and fracturing a close-knit community. Speakers said the board had approved a two‑year charter renewal in May, and raised questions about how the district approved that renewal if EPIC lacked the funds to continue.

Parents, current students and staff described a school community that, they said, provides stability and college and career preparation for primarily Black and Latino students. \"We are EPIC students who look forward to walking across the graduation stage together next year,\" senior Ayomide Olatunji told the board. Teacher Andrew Escalante urged the board to ensure EPIC remains open through the end of the school year and to explore options that would allow the community to remain intact long term.

Speakers detailed the timeline they say produced the crisis: the board renewed EPIC’s charter in May for two years; on Aug. 21 the school’s board president informed CPS of EPIC’s intention to close; the EPIC board then voted to close at the end of the school year or sooner, and staff and families said they learned of the situation with little notice. Staff and parents asked CPS to consider several remedies, including a district takeover of operations, a move of the entire school community into another CPS building such as South Shore, or financial and contractual conditions that would preserve the school and allocate any proceeds from property sales back to classrooms.

Board members responded with public concern and asked CPS staff for more transparency about the renewal and oversight process. Several board members said they wanted deeper scrutiny of charter finances and of the renewal process, and asked staff to explore options that would keep school communities whole. Interim CEO Dr. Macklin King and board members did not announce a formal decision at the meeting.

The EPIC speakers emphasized the immediate consequences for seniors completing college applications, athletes, and performing groups. Alumni and current students said the school’s programs and culture drove positive outcomes for graduates and asked the board to prioritize keeping the school open through the academic year and to seek long-term alternatives that protect the community.

The board took no formal vote related to EPIC during the meeting. Several board members pledged to follow up and asked CPS staff to provide additional financial and enrollment information and to explore options for preserving the school community.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting September 25th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Fifty-seven seniors, teachers and parents from EPIC Academy urged the Chicago Board of Education on Sept. 25 to prevent a midyear closure they say would disrupt graduations and fracture a tight-knit school community.","taxTitle","City of Chicago SD 299, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",15916,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5974442,"CPS highlights growth of world-language programs; board members press for broader access and African-language options",1015,518000,1533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d&start=518&end=1533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d/thumbnail_518000.jpg","/articles/5974442/Illinois/CPS-highlights-growth-of-world-language-programs-board-members-press-for-broader-access-and-African-language-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974442-51da22baa342d8e7172aa41ab0174961/orig.mp4?Expires=1772871851&Signature=Bea0br91W3TKw3ZJ9HU3e~t9lrRwe-AZzrCBhv5b7c1qzkuFEwH~tqE-hNqgOcpFT3-JkXGCEthUAOePjjuMQIr3vwH6Ay4LmG45qkxygf~qZMqfd6iVgoRPwCjg6nBpoOTuoVSeiEhPA0YRWjQJT405Hhu7OMSNlerubOkTx17qDccfcSbq1yJQy7LTQCUMDsnDisWrmlmT69~EyDaXGL-HxdYwhQ2wlhpXr93vfqc8YnPZL-WznR6JF-4i2QyG-pTSlhpZyTxVxvLmV9MqbZSMnoa5fysASNtEsTEU6JMgq~w5uLOGUhAejl35Iu1aV6L6mmPsHl1uxwR4Bsyp7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chicago Board of Education opened its Sept. 25 meeting by honoring the district’s international teachers and world-language programs, and district officials reported program growth while board members asked how to expand access citywide.

Dr. Karina Assaf, leader of the Office of Multilingual Multicultural Education (OME), introduced the recognition and Dr. Fabiola Jinski described the academic and cognitive benefits of language study. The district reported that more than 108,000 students are enrolled in world-language courses and that CPS hosts the largest Mandarin program in the country. The international teacher program brings educators from abroad under partnerships including the U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA program and works with consulates and philanthropic partners to cover costs beyond teacher salaries.

An international Japanese-teacher team and students from Langston Hughes and Lavizzo elementary schools described curriculum and a multi‑day student trip to Japan; students said the program broadened their cultural understanding and engagement. Christine Murphy Judson, CPS executive director of talent acquisition, said the 108,000 figure includes required high‑school graduation language coursework and that the district would provide a breakdown of participation by grade and language.

Board members asked how to expand access to elementary schools and whether African languages — specifically Kiswahili — could be offered. Murphy Judson said the district has just a handful of teachers from Africa in the program and that launching a new world-language program requires investments in staff capacity and materials; the international teacher program relies on embassy or consulate partnerships and philanthropy beyond CPS staffing costs.

Board members applauded the program and requested maps or data showing the distribution of international teachers across the district. CPS staff committed to sharing additional data about where and how languages are being taught.","CPS honored international teachers and outlined district world-language enrollment figures; board members asked how to expand access to elementary schools and for African-language options such as Kiswahili, while Talent Office clarified program partnerships and funding sources",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5974447,"Charter operators tell board GoCPS map and ranking tools obscure charter options; they ask for transparency and algorithm data",301,8826000,9127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d&start=8826&end=9127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d/thumbnail_8826000.jpg","/articles/5974447/Illinois/Charter-operators-tell-board-GoCPS-map-and-ranking-tools-obscure-charter-options-they-ask-for-transparency-and-algorithm-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974447-f554c8a97f990f189a5909c3d6f4f183/orig.mp4?Expires=1772871851&Signature=OHN2Tv~jXaF-O-uBzqOeOJdT5HnhYSZahjqVg59Kur3Kys5J2JcV2hpY1u1DdIDSkL7hZWRjQcqIL6B9IFabrps51b-9IQ2asnfA61l8UJtF1~OXBpAdyZbdH2U3aXGQAzJNZPC9vPTLn--tSrQCnU4NFM~bZHlUiVXmtXe-oXew~Uvb2ok7bJrAmzxB1b59jyLWhBl~PZ68u9Dh1DcsDZdJ5FIR1Xid6D6pNUlAwTJ7zQWCv0yyej4aEVbgi0fx05kQya~KBpeN2KY3czmWXsrPKLGkz3a~9n8ovtyr-cGpvGeBqiAqV2a1G8FfCkr64vwcfVurdAgF6kdHI8QHXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of Noble Schools and other charter operators told the Chicago Board of Education on Sept. 25 that the GoCPS enrollment portal does not present charter schools fairly and urged the district to fix the portal, display charter schools as guaranteed-offer options where applicable, and publish offer‑rate data.

Darko Shimonovich, chief operating officer for Noble, and colleagues said the map search function frequently shows district-run schools as the closest options even when a charter school is nearer; they offered a test case in which a downtown address returned a district school four miles away before listing a nearer charter campus. Noble asked CPS to modify the mapping to rank all nearby schools by true proximity regardless of school type. Noble also asked that charter schools appear under \"guaranteed offer\" options when they can guarantee enrollment up to capacity and that the portal not present charter options only under choice or selective categories that suggest testing is required.

Claudia Rodriguez, Noble’s chief of public affairs, requested that CPS publish the algorithm used to extend offers and provide application-to-offer conversion rates for the past two GoCPS cycles for both district and charter schools. That data, she said, would let families and operators assess whether charter schools are disadvantaged by the portal presentation.

Board members and CPS staff acknowledged the recurring complaints about GoCPS. Member Singleton and others said they had experienced limited visibility of charter options on the portal during their own application experience. Member Gutierrez asked CEO King to make the GoCPS review a priority so the recurring issues could be resolved and not repeatedly raised at future meetings.

No charter-specific changes were adopted at the meeting; board members asked staff to prioritize fixes and to supply data requested by operators.","Representatives from Noble Schools and other charter operators told the board that the GoCPS portal’s mapping, ranking and offer algorithm favors district-run schools, masks guaranteed-offer options for charters and misleads families; they requested software fixes, data on offer ratios and clearer communication",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5974450,"Parents and advocates tell board special-education supports are inconsistent; OSD oversight and staffing questioned",0,5210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d&start=5210&end=5210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d/thumbnail_5210000.jpg","/articles/5974450/Illinois/Parents-and-advocates-tell-board-special-education-supports-are-inconsistent-OSD-oversight-and-staffing-questioned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974450-864ded81d90eabadc3735d798c139b3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1772871851&Signature=FfI6rTjD6fN0iB6fk1eFb1SgQoWVfiq9OgTx7tEikrZu8EjfR5JQqiUtihjzbmyHYBBfGSFA-u-jeO6PGzS7qQCQdJXd2zcsNwRlA8IuogvnWGfljTIuq~EtYT5CxB1kemAYYwepD0FnZ6L4-GhC3es19vTIoleuwpH~PLAdyKvQXe-bi3Ux1ODb~v0M90Bi3aFwxK2Zt2~LNaeCDyMXO4qIpvQ9zs45wPujB2-1I7cl7isorFT4hpOqjXkC~LdagV6RQiKTlJxKw38lRUS3lrXZhow2dneEgW2uFdIbvGAnYZcmgjUXA0DIhI2VGa1Q-ow1OcG72PQzBZG96woqog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple parents, advocates and union representatives told the Chicago Board of Education on Sept. 25 that special-education services are inconsistently implemented in district schools and that staffing shortages and administrative gaps are harming students.

Tremaine Reeves of SEIU Local 73 said requests for additional classroom assistants (SECAs) are going unfilled and argued the district should reestablish a Special Education (SED) advisory committee. Doctor Angel Alvarez, president of the Family Advisory Board for the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD), said school‑level budget reporting and additional oversight are needed; Alvarez said that only about one‑in‑five elementary schools had offered advanced instruction in recent years and raised concerns about placement and compliance for students with disabilities.

Parents provided specific accounts. Dr. Taylor Spencer said her nonverbal autistic second‑grade son was not consistently provided the 1‑to‑1 paraprofessional required by his IEP, leaving him in unsafe situations; she said school officials had banned her from the building after she repeatedly sought help and asked the board to enforce her child’s IEP and consider a therapeutic day‑school placement. Dulce Dominguez and Yvonne Sanchez described delays in evaluations, missing or late transportation and the trauma families experience when services are not delivered.

Speakers urged the board to require transparent reporting on IEP compliance, to prioritize hiring and assigning SECAs and paraprofessionals, and to ensure that OSD has the oversight mechanisms needed to find and address gaps in services. Several speakers requested enforcement action and more parent engagement in oversight.

Board members thanked speakers and asked staff and OSD to provide follow‑up information, and parents and advocates said they would continue organizing to press for near‑term reforms.","Parents, advocates and union representatives described repeated failures to implement students’ IEPs, staffing shortages of SECA/paraprofessionals, missing transportation and delays; speakers and a newly elected family advisory board president called for oversight, reestablishing an advisory committee and transparent reporting",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5974455,"Board members say they were blindsided by proposed central-office restructuring; CEO says no decisions finalized",1292,1797000,3089000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d&start=1797&end=3089","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5839581-2528417ad6a7da4fabd55bf431dce84d/thumbnail_1797000.jpg","/articles/5974455/Illinois/Board-members-say-they-were-blindsided-by-proposed-central-office-restructuring-CEO-says-no-decisions-finalized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974455-018288130a02a3722df496d4f4556c43/orig.mp4?Expires=1772871851&Signature=D~MBBn08BeL-S7Cjv9o0hSzI0HAd80F-i2a1v8HlhRHKBakq9FsbR8QN3Wi9DQBB5fMs2x3QkLoqhgIq3tK6Qwhi3Y3Au~vOMvMHnh6PtnmxJh4L5AQ5kc1m3qPQw~S26a591bJewl6IqKzDl7nAqzVfgeyW2GfpdYXFs45gXfsbhYHNlkN1b4D6-WBEC672n~n99gY-a0K97c7P~2GQxCyjFp-Me4rvFKwUYtxgtyDKauKhlKVydaA3Ia1OlMWvZ9-3VhWFo-UEGvQDJJeYw0kNzrTb0Cz8CaExFTsyahrzlPeDySi3qfuv0lSdMn8Mp6oK8CodqpB5V6phMnDRxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Interim Superintendent and CEO Macklin King told the Chicago Board of Education on Sept. 25 that the district is reviewing possible restructuring within central and network offices but that \"no final decisions have been made and no changes are being implemented at this time.\" King said the review is intended to strengthen teaching and learning and would proceed with transparency.

Several board members and union leaders responded that they and school principals had been surprised by the scope and timing of the planning. \"It was a complete surprise to us,\" Member Bridal said, describing principals who called board members with urgent questions about evaluations, reporting lines and job security. Union leaders told the board that principals and other employees should be directed to consult with their unions on personnel protections and urged the district to avoid top-down communications that exclude bargaining partners.

Board members urged clearer, earlier communications between the CEO’s office and the elected board and asked for briefings before further public announcements so elected members can respond to constituents and school leaders. Some members recommended public conversations with local school councils about the role and structure of networks and called for a revival of community trainings to strengthen local school council capacity.

Board members also linked the restructuring discussion to several operational concerns raised during public comment, including custodial staffing and contracts, safe passage and crossing-guard staffing, and cuts perceived as disproportionately affecting West and South Side schools. Several board members asked that proposals include plans to preserve school-level services and asked staff to return with clearer implementation timelines and financial impacts.

No formal motions or votes related to restructuring were taken in public session. Several board members requested follow-up briefings and operational reports in subsequent meetings.","Interim CEO Macklin King told the board that central- and network-office restructuring is under consideration but no changes are implemented; multiple board members and union representatives said principals and other stakeholders received little or no advance notice and urged better communication and collaboration","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Students and staff urge board to prevent midyear closure of EPIC Academy

CPS highlights growth of world-language programs; board members press for broader access and African-language options

Charter operators tell board GoCPS map and ranking tools obscure charter options; they ask for transparency and algorithm data

Parents and advocates tell board special-education supports are inconsistent; OSD oversight and staffing questioned

Board members say they were blindsided by proposed central-office restructuring; CEO says no decisions finalized