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