Amid Controversy, CPS Announces Reopening Plan For Dyett High School
(CBS) – Dyett High School in Bronzeville, which activists have demanded be reopened, will become an "open-enrollment, arts-focused" high school, Chicago Public Schools officials announced Thursday.
The new school, which will feature a technology component, will open for the 2016-17 school year and serve 550 students when it is fully enrolled, CPS said in a news release.
"Walter H. Dyett has a storied history of serving students and the community of Bronzeville, and this new neighborhood arts program and community center will continue this proud tradition and ensure a bright future for the children and families of Bronzeville," said Frank Clark, President of the Chicago Board of Education.
Activists had demanded the neighborhood school reopen, following its recent phase-out. The demonstrators effectively took over a Wednesday night budget forum hosted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and some activists have even staged a hunger strike.
Protesters have said Dyett was the only open-enrollment high school for the nearby Kenwood, Oakland, and Bronzeville neighborhoods.
Chicago school officials characterized the plan announced Thursday as the result of discussions with local stakeholders.
The reaction from the hunger-strikers? Not a positive one.
"This is not a victory at all. This is not what the community asked for. CPS did not follow their own process," Jeanette Taylor Ramann said.
Protesters say they wanted a neighborhood school with a focus on green technology.
Chicago Congressman Bobby Rush said he respects their view but thinks they can sometimes get blinded by their enthusiasm.
CPS will partner with the Chicago Park to offer the gymnasium and the swimming pool for public use when the facilities are not being used by the school, CPS said. The Illinois Institute of Technology will help with the technology "innovation" center.