Number of half-empty Chicago public schools doubles, yet lawmakers want to extend school closing moratorium – Wirepoints
A set of state lawmakers want to extend CPS’ current school closing moratorium to February 1, 2027 – the same year CPS is set to transition to a fully-elected school board. That means schools like Manley High School, with capacity for more than 1,000 students but enrollment of just 78, can’t be closed for anther three years. The school spends $45,000 per student, but just 2.4% of students read at grade level.
They just handed rauner and downstate and suburban legislators the ammunition they needed to prevent suburban school money being funneled to Chicago again. Obviously there is no longer any need to change the funding formula, it’s all good. CPS has been certified and passed. We should see the bond ratings respond positively to Chicago public school debt any minute now as well.