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Bad idea to close schools, say teachers

Published:Thursday | May 23, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Protesters of Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's plan to close dozens of city schools rally in the rotunda at the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday, May 22, 2013 in Springfield, Illinois. The Chicago Board of Education was expected to take a final vote Wednesday on whether to close 53 schools. - AP

CHICAGO (AP):

The president of the Chicago Teachers' Union (CTU) says the Board of Education's decision to close 50 schools is "bad governance."

CTU President Karen Lewis put out a statement yesterday after the board vote. Lewis called it a "day of mourning for the children of Chicago".

Earlier, protesters rallied during the board's meeting. They also sent busloads of teachers, parents and students to lobby lawmakers to approve a moratorium on the closings.

City officials say the closings are necessary because of falling enrolment and as part of efforts to improve the city's education system. But critics say the closings disproportionately affect minority neighbourhoods and will endanger children who may have to cross gang boundaries to get to a new school.