CPS retreats on high school closings. But still no moratorium.

“Closing high schools could potentially result in students traveling further, being forced to cross gang boundaries and placing students in great harm,” she wrote to the panel’s chairman. “We simply cannot support any decision that would jeopardize the safety and well-being of our students.” -- Barbara Byrd-Bennett

The schools CEO says she will follow the recommendations of her appointed School Utilization Commission and not close any high schools -- except for "rare cases"??? She admits, it's just too dangerous. That admission is a little late in coming, but okay.

BBB further announced that she won't touch any "high-performing" or Level 1 schools, as they are called. Finally, CPS will pass over schools considered to be under-capacity that are still adding grades by design.

She would not rule out closing schools with at least 600 students, saying she would consider each one “on its own merits”. She also plans to take more time to see how to bolster schools that are close to being efficient, and how to define “significant school action” before ruling out those schools as well.

So far, so good. These concessions show that parent and community voices are being heard.  But the demand for a total one-year moratorium on all school closings remains to be won.

The struggle continues.