As word dribbled out today about which Chicago public schools will be closed, some parents renewed their charges that minorities are being unfairly targeted while principals accused CPS of “slash and burn.”<\/p>\n
CPS officials are expected to release a list this afternoon of about 50 schools slated for closing, many educators, parents and students at targeted schools got word earlier today.<\/p>\n
Natasha Norment, 28, said she was \u201cvery disappointed\u201d after learning Wednesday evening through a news report that her 10-year-old daughter’s school, Mahalia Jackson Elementary at 917 W. 88th St., was on the list.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems that they\u2019re targeting the African-American schools,\u201d Norment said Thursday. \u201cThe majority of these schools are in black communities. I feel it\u2019s not right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clarice Berry, president of Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, said principals of schools on the closing list were told at 6 a.m. today and were instructed to inform their teachers but not to talk to anyone else until 5 p.m. Berry said she also was told by CPS not to talk to the media until 5 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m angry. I\u2019m upset. I\u2019m shaking to the core. I didn\u2019t think they\u2019d actually go through with this, the largest number of closings ever. There\u2019s been no real planning,\u201d Berry said.<\/p>\n
Berry said there has been little planning at schools that are expected to take in students whose buildings are shuttered. Principals have told her that nothing has been worked out to provide the libraries or air conditioning CPS has promised at all receiving schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been no planning. Just slash and burn,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Berry expressed anger at Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is on a family skiing vacation in Utah this week. \u201cYou do this stuff and you run away on vacation,\u201d she said. \u201cThat is really wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chicago Teachers Union released a statement saying it was “outraged” as the “hit list” of schools.<\/p>\n