Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Board approves relocation of YCCS Chatham campus, delays vote on Pantoja self-closure after community outcry
Loading...
Summary
The board voted to relocate a Youth Connection Charter School campus and postponed a proposed Espira Pantoja self-closure after hours of public comment from Pantoja staff, parents, and union representatives calling for more transparency and community involvement.
The Chicago Board of Education on April 23 approved a relocation for the Youth Connection Charter School (YCCS) Chatham campus and postponed consideration of a request tied to Antonio Pantoja High School after extensive public participation and heated discussion.
Board members voted to relocate the Chatham campus from 9035 South Langley Avenue to 4017 South Drexel Boulevard effective July 1, 2026. The roll call recorded 19 ayes and 0 nays; the motion was adopted.
Community concern centered on the Pantoja campus and the role of charter management operator Espira. Multiple educators and family members told the board they learned of a potential closure only through the district meeting notice and not from district or charter leaders. Lydia Kelsey, an ESL teacher at Antonio Pantoja High School, told the board the school is "a lifeline" for English learners and asked trustees to vote no on any action that would permit closure without meaningful community consultation.
Jen Conant, CTU charter division chair, urged the board to reject any move that would permit Pantoja's closure, saying families and staff deserve a say and better oversight of charter operators. "No one has made a case for why Pantoja should close," she said.
After dividing the YCCS item into two parts (a procedural motion that passed 17-2), trustees voted to postpone the self-closure question until the next regular meeting on May 28, 2026 (14 ayes, 5 nays). The board also approved the Chatham campus relocation in the same sequence of votes.
Why it matters: Pantoja serves English learners and students who community members said rely on the school's wraparound services. The postponement allows more time for communication and community engagement but leaves families seeking quicker clarity about program continuity and staffing.
Next steps: The board will revisit the Pantoja self-closure question at its May 28 meeting. The administration indicated it will improve communications with affected school communities and report back to trustees.
