Education Alert: Chicago Closing 54 Elementary Schools

In country’s third-largest public school district, official consider largest mass closing in the nation

There’s more education drama in Chicago. But perhaps it’s for the best. The Windy City’s school board is set to consider closing 54 schools and 61 school buildings, located primarily in Hispanic and African American neighborhoods, by the beginning of the next academic school year. The Chicago Teachers Union, which opposes the move, is hailing it as the largest mass school closing in the nation. The Chicago public school district is the third largest in the nation. Officials say the schools are underutilized and enrollment has fallen 20 percent in the last decade. "Consolidating schools is the best way to make sure all of our city's students get the resources they need to succeed in the classroom," said Mayor Ram Emanuel, citing the district’s $1 billion annual budget deficit. District officials say nearly 140 of its schools are more than half empty. But teachers union leaders say residents shouldn’t believe the mayor’s rhetoric on saving money by shuttering schools sites. The school board will vote on the closures at a May 22 meeting. (Reuters)

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