CPS Begins Moving Students From Financially Troubled ASPIRA Charter Schools

Chicago Public Schools will start transitioning students away from two ASPIRA charter high schools this week after months of financial problems at the network left families and staff uncertain about their future, according to district officials.

The district announced the transition process during Thursday’s Chicago Board of Education meeting, affecting ASPIRA business and Finance and ASPIRA Early College high schools, which together serve about 700 predominantly low-income and Latino students.

CPS told the charter network in a letter dated Thursday that it expects ASPIRA to assist with providing student records for the transition, according to district communications. Students who choose to leave the ASPIRA campuses will receive guaranteed seats at nearby district-run high schools and access to transition coordinators for regular check-ins and other services, officials said during the board meeting.

The district plans to host a town hall for families about the transition process next week, according to officials.

ASPIRA leaders insisted in a letter to the district this week that they will keep both campuses open through the end of the school year. However, district officials say the charter has not provided a clear plan to accomplish this goal, even after CPS provided millions of dollars in cash advances this winter.

Edgar Lopez, ASPIRA’s CEO and President, attributed the network’s financial challenges to rising salaries and what he described as underfunding from the district. Lopez said the network currently has enough money to operate the campuses until about April and has “some leads” on ways to close the funding gap.

“If this is for the kids, what’s the rush?” Lopez said. “What’s another month?”

The financial troubles began months ago when the district said ASPIRA had failed to responsibly manage its finances and was struggling to make payroll. CPS has already provided $2.5 million in advance payments to ASPIRA, according to district records.

Students and families expressed concerns about the potential closure’s impact on their education. Lavelle Turner, a senior from ASPIRA Business and Finance High School, told reporters he’s “very concerned about my future” and worried the closure will affect many fellow seniors.

“Will my credits be transferred if I change schools? Will this affect my college applications? I would like CPS to answer these questions,” Turner said, adding that he wants to attend school with his peers to be around familiar faces.

Griselda Hermosillo, parent of a freshman at ASPIRA Early College High School, expressed concerns about what happens to student credits and individualized education programs for students with disabilities if the school closes midyear. She said Lopez has left her in constant doubt about the school’s future.

“If this has been a false hope, we would hope CPS will give us the actual plan,” Hermosillo said.

The district is “reviewing and assessing” graduation requirements for juniors and seniors, according to Conrad Timbers-Ausar, CPS’s acting chief portfolio officer who oversees charters. He told the board that CPS plans to provide letters that graduating seniors can give to college admissions offices to help them “understand the recent events.”

The Chicago Teachers Union, which represents ASPIRA staff, held a rally with teachers, students, and parents outside Chicago Board of Education headquarters Thursday before the board meeting. The union called for CPS to help families find new schools that would “keep students and staff together.”

A third ASPIRA campus, an alternative high school on the Northwest Side operated with Youth Connections Charter School, is not facing closure, according to the district.

CPS officials said the transition process will begin immediately, with support services available to help students and families navigate the change to new schools.