School closures debate

Chicago school closures became a political issue after 2013 mass closures by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

“They don’t save money. They don’t improve academics. But what they do do is destroy our neighborhoods by increasing gun violence in the areas around those closed schools.”

2013 closures impact

Student enrollment dropped 25% in Chicago since 2013, with over a dozen high schools at 20% capacity.

Current candidates

Four candidates: Jessica Biggs, Hilario Dominguez, Victor Henderson, and Sendhil Revuluri.

Dominguez stance

Dominguez opposes school closures, citing neighborhood violence increases near closed schools.

“They don’t save money. They don’t improve academics. But what they do do is destroy our neighborhoods by increasing gun violence in the areas around those closed schools.”

Biggs position

Biggs supports community input before school closures to avoid past distrust.

“We cannot repeat a top-down mass closure experience.”

Henderson approach

Henderson wants community input on alternatives like Boys & Girls Clubs for under-enrolled schools.

“There may be a neighborhood that says, We only have 10 or 15 kids in the school, and we would rather have a Boys and Girls Club so people can have some place to go after school to decrease violence.”

Revuluri proposal

Revuluri supports closing under-enrolled high schools to improve educational quality.

“It’s not about politics. It’s not about budgets. It’s about giving our students a quality educational experience.”

2013 closure aftermath

Over half of closed schools remain unused after 2013 closures, with many buildings in disrepair.

Englewood STEM example

Englewood STEM High School opened in 2019 after closing four struggling schools.

“I didn’t know school could be like this.”

Sustainable Schools

Chicago has a program to add wraparound services to schools, but results have been mixed.

“Schools in the program have higher graduation rates but increased absenteeism and enrollment drops.”

Community concerns

Parents and teachers have fought school closures despite multiple community meetings.

2013 study findings

2013 closures caused test score drops and increased neighborhood gun violence.

Current debate

The moratorium on school closures ends in January as the first elected school board takes office.

Key issue

Chicago school board candidates disagree on whether to close schools, with one opposing closures and others pushing for community input first.