Struggling Chicago charter school network to close 7 schools

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - About 2,000 Acero students will need to relocate after leaders of the Chicago charter school system voted last night to close seven schools.

The closures won’t happen until after the end of the school year.

Acero’s board of directors voted to shut down almost half of their fifteen charter schools, citing declining enrollment and increased costs.

They said, unlike Chicago Public Schools, Acero must legally have a balanced budget and cannot operate with a deficit.

The affected schools are Cisneros, Casas, Fuentes, Paz, Santiago, Tamayo and Cruz.

The Chicago Teachers Union represents the affected teachers. It called the decision “reckless” and said the closures will destabilize communities and undermine progress the schools have made in supporting students with disabilities and non-native English speakers.

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