Video shows December 18, 2013 sidewalk press conference and protests against charter schools
On December 18, 2013, a group of community activists opposing charter schools assembled on the sidewalk in front of the CPS headquarters right before a Chicago Board of Education meeting to discuss imposing more charter schools in the neighborhoods. (The next CPS Board Meeting is on Jan. 22, at which the Board will vote on whether to open up 21 new charters.)
Community activist Rubi Bautista speaking against charter expansion on January 18, 2014 at CPS headquarters. Labor Beat Photo.A January 20, 2014 Sidewalk Press Conference Against Charters is now On YouTube at: http:// youtu. be/xg5kYT7kv-I
Rubi Bautista, from Communities United for Quality Education, told the press that "Where I live CPS plans to open a Noble Charter High School across the street from existing High School Prosser...Our High School has no overcrowding problem. CPS should instead put the resources for this Noble School into our elementary schools."
Damian Kogan, from Albany Park Neighborhood Council, pointed out that "for the first year [CPS's funding formula for charter schools] it's going to cost taxpayers $21 million in additional funds that they would otherwise not be paying for. And over the next 10 years it's going to cost over a quarter of a Billion dollars in additional funds to pay for these 21 new charter schools CPS is considering to approve."
Other speakers were Maria Elena Sifuentes (Communities United for Quality Education), Dwayne Truss (Raise Your Hand), Jennie Biggs (Bridgeport Alliance). Length - 6:23
Rubi Bautista, from Communities United for Quality Education.
Photo: David Vance / Labor Beat
Speakers pointed out that opening up another High School (a charter) directly
across the street from an existing H.S. doesn't make any sense. Photo: Larry Duncan / Labor Beat
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