The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is attempting to block the closing of “empty” and “failing” public schools in Chicago despite experts calling for closures and consolidations, according to a Monday report from Wirepoints, an Illinois nonprofit.
Many public schools in Chicago are facing various issues, such as a steep decline in enrollment, budgetary stresses and “emptying” schools, according to the report from Wirepoints. While experts are calling for closures or consolidation of schools in the district, CTU have opposed the idea of potential closures and instead are calling for the school district to hire more employees, according to Wirepoints.
“If the union really believes that those staff are needed to improve student outcomes, it should approve of closings and consolidations so the district can more easily provide the needed amount of support staff for every school,” Wirepoints said in their report. “Of course, the CTU doesn’t approve because that would reduce its membership and its power.”
Shrinking enrollment was a key factor that led to the closure of 50 Chicago schools back in 2013, according to the Wirepoints report. Despite some calling for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to either close or consolidate to help “save on capital expenditures,” CTU have continued to oppose this idea, according to Wirepoints. […]
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