CPS scraps plan to de-magnetize LaSalle Language Academy

District will continue to pursue other options to relieve overcrowding at Lincoln Elementary

12/22/2011 2:13 PM

By IAN FULLERTON
Contributing Reporter

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Chicago Public Schools officials have called off plans convert LaSalle Language Academy into a neighborhood school and strip its magnet status after parents and faculty at the school pushed back.

In a letter sent to LaSalle parents on Tuesday, CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard said that the district was dropping a proposal that would have seen the school's magnet program discontinued and replaced by a neighborhood school model.

The recommendation was being shopped out by the schools as one possible solution to the issue of over-enrollment currently being addressed at Abraham Lincoln Elementary, a coveted neighborhood school located north of LaSalle at 615 W. Kempler Place in Lincoln Park.

Under the plan, children who would have been sent to Lincoln — where enrollment is 174 students over capacity and rising — would be gradually redirected to LaSalle, a highly rated school that currently accepts applications from across the city.

"While one possible solution included changing LaSalle’s status as a magnet school, that option will not be pursued and LaSalle’s status as a magnet school remains in place," wrote Brizard.

CPS drew heavy criticism from parents and faculty at LaSalle and Lincoln when it presented designs to redraw the schools’ enrollment boundaries at public meetings earlier this month.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) praised the district’s decision to uphold LaSalle’s magnet status.

"On behalf of the 43rd Ward, I express my gratitude to CPS for their concern and for their responsiveness to our community," said Smith. "I look forward to working with the local school council, parents and the public schools to find a solution that works for all of our families."

Smith publicly denounced the school board’s enrollment proposals for Lincoln and LaSalle following the meetings.

Brizard said in a letter to Lincoln parents that the district would maintain its focus on the school‘s capacity problems.

"My team is continuing to examine all possible options, including both short and long-term solutions," he wrote.

A CPS official previously stated that a decision on the enrollment plans for LaSalle and Lincoln could be finalized at the district's board meeting in late January.


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