Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is facing pressure from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) as rumors spread that CEO Pedro Martinez is considering closing or consolidating at least 100 schools due to low utilization. Although Martinez denies these claims, the CTU, backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, has reportedly called for his resignation over this issue.
The issue is fueled by declining enrollment—CPS has lost 111,000 students over the last 20 years. In 2004, enrollment stood at 434,000, while today it has dwindled to 323,000, largely due to a 50% drop in Black student attendance. CPS currently operates more than 163 traditional schools that are less than half full, exacerbating the financial strain on the district.
With a billion-dollar deficit looming by 2026, CPS may have no choice but to consider closures. Consolidating schools would cut down on costly capital expenditures—CPS estimates $1 billion is needed for upgrades to the 20 most under-utilized schools alone. Total infrastructure needs across all 522 buildings amount to $14.4 billion, far surpassing the district’s annual budget.
CTU opposes school closures, despite consolidation potentially helping meet their staffing demands, such as more librarians and nurses per school. Critics argue that under-utilized schools, like Manley Career Academy, with just 2% of students reading at grade level, provide little value to their communities.
While neighborhood ties to schools are strong, the realities of declining enrollment, poor academic performance, and rising operational costs make school closures a difficult, but necessary, consideration for Chicago’s future.
