Crain's Chicago Business
In 2013, the Chicago Board of Education voted to close 50 schools due to underutilization — 49 elementary schools and one high school. This was the single largest school closure in the history of America’s public education system.
The 2013 closures were controversial. Many parents, community activists and the Chicago Teachers Union vocally denounced the decision. But Chicago Public Schools argued that the closures would “consolidate underutilized schools and programs to provide students with the quality, 21st century education they need to succeed in the classroom.” CPS contended, in other words, that closing these weaker schools would ultimately strengthen the quality of students’ education...