Chicago School Board to decide on fate of Acero schools facing closure due to immigration concerns outside Soto High School

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Board of Education is expected to vote on the future of some Acero schools on Thursday.

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Last year, the Acero Charter School Network announced plans to close seven schools in 2025.

The affected schools are in the Avondale, Brighton Park, West Town, Little Village, Pilsen and West Ridge neighborhoods.

Acero supporters are afraid CPS won’t save some of the schools slated for closure.

According to a spokesperson for the charter schools, the meeting scheduled for Thursday will address the proposal to keep Casas, Fuentes, Tamayo, and Santiago Elementary Schools operational until the 2025-2026 school year.

The meeting will also discuss closing Cisneros and Paz Elementary Schools and Cruz K-12 after the current school year.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

This comes as administrators said immigration agents detained someone near Soto High School and Idar Elementary on Wednesday morning.

A video obtained by ABC7 showed what Acero officials said was ICE agents taking someone into custody just after 8 a.m.

Hilario Dominguez, representing the Chicago Teachers Union, expressed concern over the president’s decision to target the community and a family while two babies were being dropped off.

In a letter from Acero officials to families, the charter school network said an adult was dropping off two students when the arrest happened.

The meeting begins at 10:30 a.m.

Chicago Public Schools issues the following statement:

“Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Acero have been engaged in constructive discussions and negotiations to seek a resolution that prioritizes the welfare of families and students,
The District, in collaboration with the current Chicago Board of Education, has been meticulously evaluating different scenarios for Acero that are both sustainable and compliant with legal requirements.
An assessment conducted jointly by the District and Acero regarding the financial needs of the campuses determined that CPS would be unable to financially support Acero at the necessary level due to declining enrollment and the pressing demand for facility upgrades at the campuses.
To the extent feasible within financial and legal constraints, the District is striving to preserve as many Acero campuses as feasible.
CPS remains dedicated to assisting students, families, and personnel in exploring a way forward and ensuring that all affected parties are informed about the potential repercussions of Acero closures.”