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Parents, teachers and charter leaders press new board on school closures and renewals
Summary
During public participation at the Jan. 15 Agenda Review Committee meeting, parents from Acero network urged the board to finalize an MOU to keep schools open; Urban Prep and Catalyst representatives urged multi-year renewals; CTU leaders called for staffing, library and special education investments.
Dozens of community members, teachers and charter leaders used the board’s public-participation period Wednesday to press the newly seated board on school closures, charter renewals and staffing.
Families from Acero Schools praised the board’s Dec. 20 resolution that saved several Acero campuses from immediate closure and asked the board and CEO Pedro Martinez to finalize a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to transfer management or otherwise secure the schools. “We will continue to advocate for our schools and ensure that our children receive the quality education they deserve,” parent Lucy Salgado said.
Charter-network speakers called for stability and longer renewals. Urban Prep representatives repeatedly requested a five-year charter renewal and invited board members to visit their campuses; a series of Urban Prep staff and alumni framed the network as a community anchor and cited graduation and college-acceptance metrics. “Urban Prep Impact goes beyond academics,” said dean and alumnus Faizon Chapman.
Speakers from Catalyst Schools and LEARN charter network described strong local academic outcomes and asked for multi-year renewals so programs can deepen supports and maintain neighborhood stability.
The Chicago Teachers Union addressed the board before public participation and urged commitments on staffing and program investments: CTU President Stacy Davis-Gates pointed to gaps such as libraries in schools (“Right now, 80% don't have them. Only 12 high schools do.”) and more than 300 special-education vacancies the union said must be filled.
Other public commenters raised district-specific issues. Harlan High School advocates asked the board to restore local-school-council authority and sought transparency about past oversight and audits. Critics and advocates also called attention to the district’s “do not hire” (DNH) list and alleged disproportionate impacts on Black teachers; Rosita Chitanda urged the board to consider the Office of Inspector General’s findings and address alleged misuse of the DNH process.
The board did not take immediate policy votes on the charter or staffing demands during this meeting; senior leadership was present and, per the board, will follow up on concerns raised during public participation.
