Supporters of Acero charter schools erupted in cheers after a unanimous Chicago Board of Education vote on Friday. The resolution will spare seven schools from immediate closure, allowing them to remain open for one more year. Five of these schools will then be absorbed by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in 2026. This decision comes after weeks of protests from parents and educators against the planned closings. Dozens celebrated the victory at a special board meeting dominated by discussions of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez’s future.
However, the future of the schools remains uncertain. The board lacks the authority to force Acero, the charter network managing the schools, to cooperate. While the resolution calls for the school district to collaborate with Acero to maintain the seven campuses next year, a separate action will be required in 2025 to officially bring five schools under district control in the 2026-27 school year. Acero’s cooperation is needed to implement this plan, as confirmed in a letter to families from CPS officials who emphasized the need for a memorandum of agreement between Acero and the school board. The letter expressed gratitude for families’ advocacy and promised continued updates.
Despite the reprieve for seven schools, two Acero campuses, Paz and Cruz, will still close. CPS officials attributed this to these schools’ significant contribution to Acero’s projected deficit, the primary reason cited for the initial closure plans.