Haugen parents and teachers urge board to reverse colocation denial, citing overcrowded classrooms

Chicago — Dozens of parents, teachers and alumni from Haugen Elementary told the Chicago Board of Education’s agenda-review meeting that the school is overcrowded and that district staff denied a neighborhood‑led colocation request without an acceptable rationale.

Several speakers described classroom and support spaces converted into closets and hallways and said enrichment, library and special education spaces are threatened. "We have teachers providing IEP services in hallways, closets converted into classrooms," said Zachary Cabot, who described his daughter’s school day being "strangled by overcrowding."

Tiffany Harvey, a Haugen parent and LSC chair, said CPS’ portfolio office denied a colocation request and provided no path forward. "We respectfully request that you put our colocation request on the agenda, allow it to see the light of day, and for the public to weigh in," she said. Speakers asked that the district clarify whether nearby empty space (an Aspira/ Espira building referenced by multiple speakers) could be used to relieve capacity constraints.

Educators at Haugen urged the board to require CPS facilities staff to provide specific explanations for denials and to present alternative community-driven solutions. Mary Margaret Orr, a long-time teacher at Haugen, asked the district to reexamine enrollment formulas and to consider the realities that grandfather students and preschool programs create for space needs.

What happens next: Board members asked staff to provide follow-up information via the board office. Several board members said they would seek additional details on utilization-rate methodology and the specific criteria used to deny colocation.

Attribution note: Quotes and attributions in this article come from speakers recorded during public comment (SEG 912–SEG 1276).