Andersonville businesses, community rally in support of Trumbull
The Andersonville business community is rallying in support of Trumbull elementary school students and parents by declaring tomorrow “Andersonville Loves Trumbull Day.” Last week it was announced that Trumbull would close after this school year as a part of the district’s consolodation plan which would shutter over 50 schools across the city. Thousands took to the streets downtown last week to protest the CPS plan.
As part of Andersonville Loves Trumull Day, Trumbull parents, teachers, and friends will patronize local Andersonville businesses en masse to show mutual support for the community and demonstrate the economic impact that the school has on the neighborhood. In addition, business owners will distribute materials explaining why Trumbull should remain open and how Andersonville constituents can advocate for it.
“Walk-able, quality schools are an essential element of strong communities,” noted Ellen Shepard, executive director of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and Andersonville Development Corporation. “In addition, Trumbull has been an important economic driver for our commercial district for over 100 years, serving our residents and employees and providing customers for our businesses. The building itself is one of the most significant structures in our Andersonville National Historic District. It should be maintained, and maintained as a public school.”
While the Chicago Public School district posted reasons why each school was selected to close on their website, specifically declining enrollment and a deteriorating building in Trumbell’s case, many are questioning the reasoning. Trumbull is home to many special education students, and parents are debating how the district calculated the school’s utilization rate. Local residents are also concerned that Trumbull will become another large vacant building in the 40th Ward, just like the Edgewater Medical Center has sat empty for years.
“By its own standards, CPS should not have put Trumbull on the list of schools to be closed,” said Trumbull Local School Council member Alison Burke. CPS committed to not close schools that had 80% or greater occupancy. Trumbull’s highly-regarded special education program necessitates that the school have smaller class sizes. When determining Trumbull’s occupancy percentage, CPS deemed it to have lower than 80% occupancy, which is incorrect if the special education standards are applied. Trumbull is one of the fifty-three schools that Chicago Public Schools has slated for closure by August.”
Even before the announced closings, the Andersonville Development Corporation delivered the below message to CPS, however now that the decision has been made to close the school parents and businesses are urging the community to call both 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O’Connor (773.553.1500) along with CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett (773.769.1140) to advocate for keeping Trumbull open.
