Chicago Board of Education votes to spare 5 of 7 Acero schools slated for closure

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Board of Education voted Thursday to keep five Acero Schools slated for closure open next school year. Two schools will still close.

Acero families had demanded the Chicago Board of Education keep their promise to save all seven schools.

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The board voted to approve an amended plan to keep five Acero schools open next school year. They will remain in the Acero charter network next year, be funded by CPS, and then be absorbed by CPS in the 2026-27 school year.

Two Acero schools, Paz and Cruz, will close at the end of this year. An initial plan called for the closure of three schools at the end of this year. Cisneros was on that list of three, but it's now one of the five schools remaining open.

The vote comes after months of protests, promises, and contentious back-and-forth over the fate of seven Acero charter schools. At one point, all had been slated for closure, but Thursday's school board action spares five of them.

The vote brought people to their feet, and elicited hugs, tears and relief.

"Right now our group is happy," said Luis Delgado, Acero charter school graduate. "We're happy that we got back to square one and that the five schools that we originally were promised in December are going to stay those five schools."

For families, who for months had taken to the streets, the Chicago Board of Education's approval of a plan keeping five Acero charter schools open was imperfect, but still a victory.

Their fight began last fall when Acero announced it was closing seven schools at the end of this academic year. But amid protests, the previous, mayoral-appointed school board voted last December to keep all seven of the publicly-funded privately-run schools open next year and have CPS absorb five of them the following year.

"We have made a pledge to children and to families, and I feel we have an obligation to maintain that pledge," said Debby Pope, appointed School Board Member.

However, there was an about face when the new hybrid school board determined keeping all seven open next year would require CPS to give Acero more funding than allowed under state law. So the board now voted to close Paz Elementary School and Cruz K-12 School, and to keep open the five others, which will then be absorbed by CPS in the 2026-27 school year.

Some are questioning how it'll be paid for.

"When we look at that 2026-2027 budget, whatever the cost is comes at a cost, and that means we are cutting staff across the district," said Jennifer Custer, School Board Member.

It's not immediately clear how much keeping those five schools open will cost. And for now, there's no transition plan for the two schools that are closing. The original item at Thursday's meeting called for three schools to close, but board members amended that down to two.

Parents and staff rallied ahead of the board meeting Thursday.

"Our students and families deserve to have this ability and this decision, and they cannot go back on their word," parent Stephanie Gomez said. "Your commitment to this resolution will be a reflection of your commitment to the students and these families."

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"I'm not here to express sadness," former Acero student Luis Delgado said. "I'm not here to cry about it. I'm angry. That same day when Acero announced that they were going to close down seven of the 15 Acero schools, I saw my mother, I saw teachers that I looked up to, and I saw my younger brother cry because they thought they would not be able to see the school that brought me to be the person I am today."

The community rallied outside Chicago Public Schools headquarters Thursday, and they then took their case inside before the school board. Acero Charter Schools teachers, parents and students have been vocal for months, pleading with CPS to keep all seven schools open.

"The children are not going to have the education they deserve," Acero parent Lucy Salgado said.

Charter schools are funded with public money, but managed privately. Last October, the Acero charter network announced it planned to close seven of its 15 Chicago schools. Following big pushback from the Acero community, Mayor Brandon's Johnson's interim six-member school board voted to keep the schools open next school year and have the district absorb five of them the following year.

"I'm very concerned about charter operators whose bottom line issues are much greater than their concern about children and education," Board Member Pope said.

However, after extensive negotiations with Acero, the school district says plans have changed. Saving the schools would require CPS to give Acero more funding than allowed under state law.

"My name is not going to be connected with garbage," said Jitu Brown, elected School Board Member.

CPS asked the 21-member school board to approve the new plan. Board Member Brown, who adamantly opposes school closures, aligned himself with Acero teachers and parents, but other school board members acknowledged the reality of the budget crisis..

"You have much support from members of this board, however we are in, CPS is in dire financial straits," said Dr. Che Rhymefest Smith, elected School Board Member.

Chicago Public Schools issued the following statement:

"Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has been in ongoing conversations and good faith negotiations with Acero to find a resolution that best serves families and students.
The District has also been working diligently in conjunction with the current Chicago Board of Education to review various scenarios for Acero that would be viable and compliant with the law.
A joint analysis between the District and Acero of the funding needs for the campuses revealed that CPS would not legally be able to fund Acero at the level needed to maintain all campuses, considering enrollment loss and the significant need for facility investments at the campuses.
Where financially and legally possible, the District continues working to keep as many of the Acero campuses open as possible.
CPS remains committed to supporting students, families and staff in finding a path forward and communicating all options to those impacted by potential Acero closures."

The vote comes as Acero administrators said immigration agents detained someone near Soto High School and Idar Elementary on Wednesday morning.