Much to the frustration of parents and Chicago Board of Education members, Acero Schools leaders proposing to close seven of their charter schools failed to show up at a meeting Wednesday, which they were summoned to attend.
“I can only suppose that Acero has not come because they have nothing to say that addresses the needs of students and families,” board member Debby Pope said in an unusually candid rebuke of Acero officials.
Pope’s comments were among the most cutting about the charter school network, which has been in business for about 25 years and was once the darling of the school district and former mayors. CPS is planning to spend about $107 million this year for the private operator to run its 15 charter campuses.
Closing seven schools in June would impact about 2,000 mostly Latino students and would be the largest school closing in the Latino community in Chicago’s history.
The Board of Education passed a resolution last month that directed Acero officials to come to Wednesday’s meeting. It also threatened Acero that future contracts with CPS could be affected by the closures.
CPS officials said they have met with Acero leaders many times and sent the resolution to them, but said there was no response about attending the meeting.
“We have no power to get them here,” said Alfonso Carmona, the district’s chief portfolio officer. He then looked into the camera used to livestream the meeting and took the opportunity to invite them again.
Acero officials have said they are closing these schools because a significant drop in enrollment means they are getting less money from CPS at the same time they’re seeing increased expenses. They did not respond to questions about why they did not attend the meeting.
As has happened at other board meetings, dozens of parents attended, with several pleading with the board to save the schools.
Pope addressed them directly: “We are here about your children, and Acero is here about their bottom line, and those are two very different concerns. I just have to wonder why one would have so much trust in a system where these people are considering their real estate interests and not the real interests, which are the interests of your boys and girls, who are studying and learning and trying to grow and develop.”
Like many of the parents, board members said they’re suspicious of Acero’s motives and spending. An analysis by WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times last month found that, while low enrollment and increased costs are impacting Acero’s financial health, the organization has $46 million in savings and investments — much more than it needs to satisfy bondholders.
Board of Education members assured parents they are working to find alternatives to the closings, but they did not say exactly what they are considering. One said board members talk about the Acero schools every day. They also said they are working to make sure that future contracts with charter schools prevent closings “in this way.” The most recent Acero four-year contract with CPS runs through 2026.
Sarah Karp covers education for WBEZ. Follow her on X @WBEZeducation and @sskedreporter.