RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Chicago Public School system (CPS) is studying ways to best
consolidate a school district that according to their formula has too many seats, too few students to fill those seats, and not nearly enough funds to maintain that excess capacity; and
WHEREAS, In doing so they have actively sought input from all Chicagoans given the potentially devastating impact school closures can have on a community; and
WHEREAS, A major factor contributing to the underutilization of CPS schools is the expansion of charter schools in Chicago. Currently, the number of seats available in charter schools amounts to more than half of the reported excess capacity. Moreover, any future expansion of charter schools will further exacerbate this problem; and
WHEREAS, It is not sound fiscal policy to fund the creation of any additional schools while facing such a large gap between enrollment and capacity; and
WHEREAS, CPS should not simultaneously close schools for budget reasons and fund the creation of additional privately operated charter schools; and
WHEREAS, Every seat created in a new charter school potentially increases what CPS has called the "chronic underutilization" of the public schools; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the undersigned members of the City Council of the City of Chicago do hereby express our desire for the Chicago Board of Education to establish a moratorium on charter school expansion for the 2014-2015 school year allowing CPS, parents and community members time to fully understand the impact of pending school closures. Furthermore, the Chicago Board of Education should adopt a policy that prohibits any charter expansion while neighborhood schools are being closed.
Alderman, 20th Ward
Alderman, 22nd Ward