Article
Senn Battle Continues
By Angela Caputo
No doubt there were a whole lot of meetings leading up to the Rickover Naval Academy opening its doors in Senn High this year.
But residents in the 48th Ward voted by a margin of roughly 2 to 1 in a March 21 advisory referendum calling on CPS to start a new formal process to talk about removing the military academy from the high school, 5900 N. Glenwood Ave.
In defense of the effort to bring the community into the decision making last year, the political organization Citizens for Mary Ann Smith (48th Ward alderman), cited briefings to block clubs, business and other community groups along with two community forums and public hearings by the Board of Education last year.
Referendum supporters, though, say despite all the meetings it was merely a charade of an open process. From the beginning, they say, it seemed like a done deal.
"Having public hearings telling people what you're doing and why it's great has no relationship to a community process," ONE Executive Director Sarah Jane Knoy said. "You need to bring people to the table before decisions are made, not after."
As for the showing of roughly 4,500 supporters across the 48th ward the alderman's Chief of Staff Greg Harris said, "The referendum was directed at the Board of Education and that's up to them."
Organizers met with Board of Education Chair Michael Scott leading up to the election. Scott, they say, pledged to meet again with a neighborhood delegation if the measure were to garner a majority of votes.
CPS spokesman Mike Vaughn said that the board is all for the community setting up more meetings, however, "The board stands by that initial community process...and the decision to open Rickover."
By Angela Caputo
No doubt there were a whole lot of meetings leading up to the Rickover Naval Academy opening its doors in Senn High this year.
But residents in the 48th Ward voted by a margin of roughly 2 to 1 in a March 21 advisory referendum calling on CPS to start a new formal process to talk about removing the military academy from the high school, 5900 N. Glenwood Ave.
In defense of the effort to bring the community into the decision making last year, the political organization Citizens for Mary Ann Smith (48th Ward alderman), cited briefings to block clubs, business and other community groups along with two community forums and public hearings by the Board of Education last year.
Referendum supporters, though, say despite all the meetings it was merely a charade of an open process. From the beginning, they say, it seemed like a done deal.
"Having public hearings telling people what you're doing and why it's great has no relationship to a community process," ONE Executive Director Sarah Jane Knoy said. "You need to bring people to the table before decisions are made, not after."
As for the showing of roughly 4,500 supporters across the 48th ward the alderman's Chief of Staff Greg Harris said, "The referendum was directed at the Board of Education and that's up to them."
Organizers met with Board of Education Chair Michael Scott leading up to the election. Scott, they say, pledged to meet again with a neighborhood delegation if the measure were to garner a majority of votes.
CPS spokesman Mike Vaughn said that the board is all for the community setting up more meetings, however, "The board stands by that initial community process...and the decision to open Rickover."
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