The Aug. 22 editorial “When politics trumps education” and the Aug. 21 Page 1 story “Hispanic areas may get 2 high schools” paraphrase Jacqueline Leavy’s remarks about the proximity of the proposed new Pilsen and Little Village high schools in a way that distorts her statements and our organization’s position.
Ms. Leavy, our executive director, expressed concern that building two new high schools in such close proximity would raise questions in other parts of the city where high school overcrowding still persists.
She also admonished the reporter, Ray Quintanilla, not to underestimate the power of political will. She said that if the city and the officials have compromised and there is political will to build two new high schools, then they’ll find the money, they’ll figure out a way to finance both.
Ms. Leavy also remarked that the Chicago Public Schools, the city and the state would have to step up to find additional funding for the CPS Capital Improvement Program.
Moreover, Ms. Leavy never stated that she or Neighborhood Capital Budget Group believed that the replacement building for Westinghouse High School would never be built.
In fact our research shows that long before Board of Education President Michael Scott ever had anything to do with the Chicago Public Schools, a replacement building was being discussed for Westinghouse, and the proposed replacement building has been in the CPS’ Capital Improvement Plan since CPS’ fiscal year 2000.
The Tribune’s editorial goes too far when its says that the CPS “gesture” of allocating $5 million to each high school site is “meaningless.” It is only meaningless if we let the decision-makers off the hook. It will depend upon how strong the political will is of elected officials, the CPS and the residents of these communities.
The Tribune should call on the public to speak out and be part of rebuilding our schools from the ground up.
