Few Criticize Mayor's Decision To Send His Kids To Private Schools
CHICAGO (CBS) – Reaction is mixed to Mayor Emanuel's decision to send his children to the private University of Chicago Lab Schools, rather the public schools in his own neighborhood.
The U of C schools are among the most respected, exclusive and expensive in Chicago. Tuition alone for the three Emanuel children could approach $75,000 a year.
Among the schools' most prominent alumni are President Obama's daughters; the president's senior advisor, Valerie Jarrett; his education secretary and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan and current Chicago Ald. Lesley Hairston.
"I think it will be a fine institution for the children. It provides the diversity that's reflective of the city of Chicago and gives them the security they need in a smaller setting," Hairston told CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine.
Even aldermen with children enrolled in public schools seemed to understand the mayor's decision.
Ald. Howard Brookins said if the mayor got his children into a good public school, people would criticize him for taking an opportunity away from another child.
"I don't begrudge him for that decision," he said.
Ald. Scott Waguespak said he wishes the mayor would send his children to public schools but conceded "it boils down to choice."
The mayor first announced his candidacy at the neighborhood school his two daughters might have attended. It's a school for which he won federal funds while in Congress.
The head of the Chicago Teachers Union challenged the mayor to secure the funding to make all schools match the one he chose for his own children.
"I will never criticize a parent for choosing what's best for their family," Karen Lewis said.
J.C. Brizard, Emanuel's CEO for public schools, on Thursday said he "applauded" the mayor's decision to send his children to private schools.
