Chicago public hearing features speakers urging multi‑year renewals for seven charter operators

CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools hosted a public hearing on Jan. 8, 2026, to collect testimony on renewal requests for seven charter operators whose contracts expire June 30, 2026.

Hearing officer Margaret Fitzpatrick opened the meeting on behalf of CPS’ Office of Innovation and Incubation and set ground rules for speakers, written comments and interpretation services; she said she will prepare a summary of testimony for CPS staff and the Chicago Board of Education and that renewal decisions will be considered by Interim CEO/superintendent Dr. Macklin King and the Board before the Feb. 26, 2026 meeting.

Why it matters: The hearing allowed operators, staff, parents, alumni and community partners to present evidence about academic results, family engagement, special education services and financial stewardship that Board members will consider when weighing contract lengths. Longer renewals provide planning stability for schools and families; shorter renewals are sometimes used when CPS has concerns the Board wants to monitor more closely.

Leaders from each of the seven operators — Academy for Global Citizenship (AGC), Acero Charter Schools, Chicago Collegiate Charter School, Chicago Math and Science Academy (CMSA), Christopher House Family Resource Center and Elementary School, Intrinsic Schools (Belmont campus) and the University of Chicago Charter School (UCCS) — made brief statements about program models and asked the Board for multi‑year renewals.

AGC founder Sarah Elizabeth Ippel asked for a 10‑year renewal, noting the school’s dual‑language International Baccalaureate program, community partnerships and financial practices; she said AGC “maintains more than six months cash on hand” and asked for long‑term stability to continue its work on the Southwest Side.

Acero’s chief education officer Alfredo Nambo described Acero’s network role in predominantly Latino communities, referenced bilingual programs and family engagement initiatives such as Padres Comprometidos, and asked for at least a five‑year renewal so the network can continue serving its roughly 5,100 students.

Tracy Salen, CEO of Chicago Collegiate Charter School, highlighted college‑going outcomes and asked for a renewal term of about seven years to sustain students’ transitions to higher education and to complete a new facility scheduled to open in August 2026.

CMSA principal Angela Holtz urged a 10‑year renewal, pointing to more than two decades of service in Rogers Park, AP and dual‑credit offerings and the school’s statewide rankings as reasons to grant a long term.

Christopher House CEO Julie Dakers described the organization’s wraparound family services and asked for a five‑year renewal to maintain stability for families in Belmont Cragin and nearby neighborhoods.

Intrinsic Schools’ leaders and staff stressed an instructional model that pairs teachers, extensive family engagement and scholarship supports; network leaders requested a seven‑year renewal and cited postsecondary scholarship programming to lower students’ out‑of‑pocket college costs.

University of Chicago Charter School interim CEO Anissa Sargent recapped the network’s South Side presence and partnerships with the University of Chicago; she said last year’s scholarship awards exceeded $70 million and requested a five‑year renewal to continue campus investments and programming.

Community testimony followed the operators’ statements. For each operator, parents, alumni, teachers and staff gave two‑minute remarks describing school-specific programs, student supports, special education compliance or community ties and urged the Board to approve multi‑year terms. Examples: a parent of an AGC student described the school’s garden and dual‑language environment; Acero parents emphasized bilingual supports and graduation outcomes; CMSA alumni and staff emphasized small‑school college and career pathways; UCCS speakers highlighted special education improvements and early‑childhood‑through‑12 continuity at multiple campuses.

What did not happen: The hearing collected testimony only; no votes or formal renewal decisions were taken at the session. Fitzpatrick said she will submit a written summary of testimony to CPS staff and the Board. The Board remains scheduled to consider renewals at its Feb. 26, 2026 meeting.

Claims and figures presented at the hearing reflect speakers’ statements. For example, school representatives and community members cited requests ranging from five to ten years for renewal terms and referenced metrics such as student counts, multi‑year graduation and college acceptance rates, scholarship totals, and internal financial reserves. Those claims were not adjudicated during the hearing.

What’s next: CPS staff will include the hearing summary with their renewal recommendations to the Board; the Board’s vote on renewals is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2026. Members of the public may submit written comments to the Office of Innovation and Incubation through the deadline stated in the hearing notice.