Acero impasse, charter renewals prompt urgent pleas from teachers, parents and union at CPS meeting

Dozens of teachers, union leaders, charter staff and parents used the Chicago Board of Education’s public comment period on Jan. 30 to demand quick action to keep seven Acero charter schools open for the 2025–26 year and to secure stronger oversight of charter operators.

Multiple speakers said negotiations between CPS and Acero over a memorandum of understanding (MOU) remain unresolved and asked the district and Acero to finalize an agreement immediately.

Steve McNamee, a special education teacher at Octavio Paz Elementary (an Acero school), said the community and school staff were confused and afraid because Acero had been silent about next year. “We need to hear in no uncertain terms that these seven Acero schools will remain open through the 2025–26 school year for certain, and we need to hear that now,” McNamee said.

Caroline Rutherford, a teacher at Acero Marquez and CTU charter division vice chair, said Acero officials told union representatives that CPS had not yet produced the “concrete plan” Acero needs to keep the schools open for an additional year. She said about 2,000 students remain “in the dark” about their school status and urged the board to “ask for the MOU” and the detailed transition plan.

Stacy Davis‑Gates, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, called for the board to “challenge the process and expedite it because these families need that stability” and urged the district and Acero to reach an immediate agreement. Davis‑Gates also credited teachers and union members for sanctuary language in the district that she said helped protect students when federal agents appeared at a school earlier in January.

CPS officials: negotiation status

Pedro Martinez, CPS chief executive officer, told the board the district had sent Acero a proposal and that Acero had responded; CPS was analyzing the response and in negotiation. Martinez said the board would receive a briefing in the coming weeks and that district staff considered the matter a top priority.

Martinez also said CPS staff were exploring options to transition schools and lease arrangements so that CPS could assume operations if needed, and that the district wanted a plan that included input from parents and staff.

Other charter concerns raised at the meeting

- Charter contracting and oversight: Jen Conant, CTU charter division chair, urged CPS to require charter operators to include neutrality language in contracts (pledging not to oppose unionization) and to adopt sanctuary protections in charter contracts. Conant said some operators refuse contractual sanctuary promises, creating uneven protections across the sector.

- Community stability and renewals: Multiple charter leaders and parent speakers representing Urban Prep, Erie Elementary Charter, Providence Englewood, and others asked the board for multi‑year renewals (5–10 years) and warned that short renewals add instability and drain scarce school staff time. Several speakers described small, single‑site charters where renewal work diverts leaders from classrooms.

Why it matters: The negotiations affect thousands of students, teachers and families. An unresolved MOU or abrupt closures would require emergency placement of students, reassignments of staff, and lease or facilities decisions. Board members pressed district staff for a timeline and for greater transparency so families could plan.

What board members asked for: Several board members requested that CPS provide the board with the MOU and a detailed transition plan; some asked for a public briefing in the coming weeks. A CTU representative said bargaining with CPS will continue and urged settlement that protects programs and staffing.

Ending note: CPS told the board it will continue negotiating with Acero and “follow up with the board very quickly.” Several speakers urged urgency and immediate release of the MOU and transition details so the students and families can plan for next school year.