Interim CEO recommends revoking Aspira charters as board moves to adopt renewal amendments

Interim Chief Superintendent Dr. King recommended the Chicago Board of Education vote to revoke the Aspira Charters Network charter effective April 4, 2026, citing what he described as “severely lacking” financial and operational stability and a failure by Aspira leadership to present a verified plan to fund operations through the school year. Dr. King said the district provided $2,550,000 in emergency cash advances to keep operations running and that about 75% of Aspira students had already been enrolled in new CPS schools during the transition.

Why it matters: The board’s action would shift responsibility for students and staff and requires careful handling of student records, especially for students with IEPs and 504 plans and twelfth-graders approaching graduation. Dr. King stressed that prompt and accurate transfer of records is essential to protect students’ credits and services.

What Dr. King said: “We are recommending that the Board of Education vote to revoke the Aspira Charters Network charter as of April 4,” Dr. King said, summarizing the district’s monitoring and the repeated emergency advances provided to the operator. He said the recommendation followed intensive monitoring and multiple opportunities for Aspira’s board to demonstrate a viable stabilization plan.

Board action and votes: The item related to Aspira appeared on the public agenda as an amendment (EX2) and was included among the reports and consent items the board adopted during the meeting. The board’s roll-call record shows the package of reports that included EX2 was adopted (procedural roll calls later recorded these consent matters as adopted by the board).

District supports and next steps: Dr. King outlined supports CPS is providing to students during the transition, including immediate transfer of academic records and prioritizing IEP/504 coordination, transportation help where eligible, transition coordinators, tutoring and mentoring, and waiver of student fees. He asked Aspira’s board to cooperate with records transfers and said CPS would continue to support families while the district pursues whatever formal action the board approves.

What to watch: The board split and voted on some related agenda items later in the meeting; the district also signaled that it will continue outreach to families and that final administrative details — including exact dates for any revocation to take effect and operational handoffs — will be reflected in agenda materials and follow-up communications from the Board Office.

Ending: Dr. King closed by asking the board to prioritize student stability and to pursue additional legislative safeguards in Springfield; he said the district is supporting affected families and staff during the transition.