CPS closes, converts schools and cuts support staff

A June 4 news release from Mike Vaughn of the Communications office of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) reported that Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan had announced plans to close ten schools--Byrd, 363 W. Hill; Doolittle West, 521 E. 35th St.; Douglass, 3200 S. Calumet; Hartigan, 8 W. Root; Thomas Jefferson, 1522 W. Fillmore; Raymond, 3663 S. Wabash; Spalding, 1628 W. Washington; Suder 2022 W. Washington; Truth, 1443 N. Ogden and Wright, 627 N. Harding because of "declining enrollment and deteriorating facilities." Austin High School, 2143 Pine, and Calumet High School, 8131 S. May are not to receive freshman next school year. They are to be converted into smaller schools and will …