UNDERUTILIZED SCHOOLS IN CHICAGO A Challenge and an Opportunity

1. UNDERUTILIZED SCHOOLS IN CHICAGOA Challenge and an Opportunity Public presentation to the Chicago Board of Education December 19, 2007

2. Chicago: A City In Flux • 77 neighborhoods; 625 schools • Neighborhoods change every 20 years • Schools last 50 to 100 years • Population changes; Birth rates fluctuate • Result: overcrowding and underutilization

3. Overcrowding • Overcrowding -- History • Over 40 new schools and additions built since 1995; Over 40,000 seats added • Some schools on closed enrollment & year-round scheduling • Today: • Approximately 40 schools still overcrowded • MSAC: 14 new elem schools to be built

4. Bigger Challenge: Underutilization Utilization Rate # of Schools • Below 50% 79 • Below 40% 43 • Below 30% 25 _______________________________ Total 147

5. K-8 ENROLLMENT DOWN BY 42,000 SINCE 2001

6. West Side, South Side & North Side

7. Five-year-plan – 2008-2012 • Close, consolidate, relocate or phase-out up to 50 schools throughout the City • 1st round to be announced end of January 2008 • Guiding principles: best interests of children, the community, and the district – in that order • Goals: • minimize movement of children while offering the best possible educational options • identify highest and best use of buildings and property/facility, other public purpose, development • maximize savings to the district

8. Factors for Consideration • Educational Benefits to Children • Performance of closing and receiving schools • Building Quality of closing and receiving schools • Travel Distance and Safety • Utilization Rate and Neighborhood Population • Savings to the District – avoiding future capital costs; lower operational costs; land value • Costs to the District – capital needs and programmatic enhancements in receiving schools • Alternative Uses of the Property/Facility – new school, other public purpose, development

9. Four Approaches • RELOCATION • PHASE-OUT • CONSOLIDATION • CLOSE