The fight over public school closures and consolidations in Chicago came to the
northwest side community of Logan Square this week, as nearly 100
concerned parents and residents filled a classroom in Ames Middle
School in response to a proposed plan to move a military academy into
the building.
The plan, submitted to the Chicago Board of
Education by Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th), would bring Marine Military
Academy High School, currently located at 145 S. Campbell Ave., to Ames
with the intent of expanding the school to include both 7th and 8th grades.
Organizers for the event said an invitation was sent to Maldonado to attend the community meeting, but he declined.
The
proposal sparked anger among the school’s parents, who said Maldonado
never discussed the plan with the community, which according to a survey
conducted last month by the Logan Square Neighborhood Association (LSNA), is
overwhelmingly opposed to the idea.
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A recent report from the University of Chicago revealed that after intervention in 
Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett 
Through a public information request, the Chicago Tribune 
Diane Ravitch, who was assistant secretary of education under George
H.W. Bush and then became a national spokeswoman against the
so-called education reform movement, says that Chicago has taken the
lead on education reform – and the revolt against such policies.
Chicago Teachers Union members voted overwhelmingly this week to
approve a three-year contract, with the option of a fourth year, that
was hammered out amid a historic seven-day CTU strike. Now comes the
challenge of paying for the deal, which has so far largely played out as
a battle between the union and district on school closings. 