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Chicago Board Fails Amendment to EPIC Academy Wind‑down, Tables Charter Item
Summary
After heated public comment from EPIC staff and teachers, the Chicago Board of Education rejected a last‑minute amendment that would have required a wind‑down plan, staff transition offers and repayment terms for EPIC Academy, then voted to table the charter report for a later meeting.
The Chicago Board of Education on Oct. 30 debated but did not adopt a late amendment intended to shape the wind‑down of EPIC Academy, and then voted to table the charter report to a future meeting.
The proposed amendment, introduced by Board member Brown, would have set a firm end date for the charter (July 1, 2026), required the chief portfolio officer to prepare a wind‑down plan “in consultation with EPIC students, families, and staff,” directed that the plan “maximize stability and continuity” (including offers of enrollment at high‑performing district schools), required EPIC to repay additional FY26 funds — including proceeds from any property sale — by Dec. 31, 2026, and mandated twice‑monthly financial reports to district portfolio staff.
Public speakers and union representatives urged the board to protect EPIC students and staff. “The silence has been maddening,” said Andrew Escalante, a social studies teacher and coach at EPIC Academy, describing a lack of communication from CPS since a Sept. 12 notice about possible closure. Jen Conant, CTU charter division chair, told the board that any profit from EPIC property sales “should go back to the district” and called for a clear plan for the school community if closure proceeds.
Board members raised legal and operational questions about the amendment. Dr. Alfonso Carmona, acting chief education officer, noted the difference between a district‑nonrenewal and a self‑closure, and told members the district had scheduled a town hall for EPIC families on Nov. 4 and estimated “about 160” students might need transition support. Carmona said letters had been sent to families and apologized if staff did not receive them.
Members also questioned whether guarantees of employment for EPIC staff would conflict with existing labor agreements and hiring authority for principals. Several members said they were uncomfortable approving substantive language at the last minute without counsel’s review.
After a 10‑minute recess to allow legal review, the board voted on the amended language and it failed (2 ayes, 6 nays, 11 abstentions). Board members then voted 19–0 to table the EPIC board report (EX1) to the next meeting so the board and staff can address outstanding legal and operational questions.
The item as posted had included $1.4 million in additional FY26 funding intended to ensure a successful wind‑down and completion of the academic year; the agenda noted the charter would be returned to the board effective July 1, 2026 if the report moved forward as posted.
The board did not take a final action to close EPIC Academy at the Oct. 30 meeting; instead, members opted to pause action and continue the conversation at a later date. The board president said the pause was intended to allow more time for counsel to review proposed language and for staff to consult with families, labor partners and portfolio management.
The public record for this discussion includes extensive testimony from EPIC staff and parents about the harms of mid‑year closures and concerns that staff layoffs have already disrupted services such as ESL and credit recovery. “School closures are devastating,” Jen Conant said, urging the board to either vote down or significantly amend the proposal so the EPIC community has a voice in next steps.
The board meeting remains scheduled to reconvene administrative follow‑up on EPIC at the next posted meeting; the wind‑down plan language proposed on Oct. 30 was not approved and the EPIC report remains tabled.
