CPS board to vote on future of Acero schools amid immigration tension​on February 27, 2025 at 10:44 pm

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Board of Education is expected to vote on the future of some Acero schools on Thursday.

Acero families are demanding the Chicago Board of Education keep their promise to save their schools.

Parents and staff rallied ahead of the board meeting Thursday.

It’s been a whirlwind for Acero families since the initial plan to close seven schools was announced last October.

Now, it appears the board is backtracking their plan agreed upon in December to keep several schools open which are primarily in Latino communities.

In this new plan, four schools would remain open under Acero management, for now, but three other schools, Cisneros, Paz and Cruz, will close at the end of the school year.

CPS says the money needed to save all seven schools would cost more than what the district can legally provide to charter schools.

READ ALSO | Acero Schools officials say immigration agents detained adult outside schools in Gage Park

Parents, students, staff and union leaders are shattered by this latest development.

“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.”
“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.”

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

The closures could be up for a vote Thursday at the Chicago Board of Education meeting.

Chicago Public Schools issues 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.”