CPS Sets Record Straight On Whittier Field House
CHICAGO (CBS) - Chicago Public Schools officials say they will build a library inside Whittier Elementary School in Pilsen, in the wake of a standoff with parents that began last month.
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The parents had been camping out at the condemned field house, insisting that CPS convert it into a library for students, rather than tear it down to make way for an athletic field. They took their protest to CPS' downtown headquarters Monday morning.
Last week, the protestors declared victory after CPS officials agreed not to demolish the building but CEO Ron Huberman says the facility still isn't safe for a library.
"What I've got now suggests there is a real problem with this particular facility. Under any scenario to bring a building like this, that was never designed to be a library, doesn't have good adequate sqaure footage, doesn't have the systems, was never actually built to be enclosed. If you look at the original designs, it was meant for an outdoor space," said Huberman.
CPS officials said the school system will put the library inside the school building and lease the field house building for $1 a year to community activists.
Huberman says CPS already has put millions of dollars in improvement at Whittier and officials are willing to talk to parents about this latest proposal.
"We believe that this proposal is a good faith effort to continue the work we have completed on behalf of Whittier students. We look forward to discuss it with parents this week," added Huberman. "We see this as a solution that works for Whittier students, parents and members of the community."
Parents have presented Huberman their demands in writing but were under the impression that CPS officials would sign off the plans by last week. Huberman says the letter was just a first step in what he had hoped were ongoing talks with the Whittier parents.
"There was some confusion about what CPS has agreed to and when we were to meet with these parents." said Huberman.
Huberman will meet with the protestors on Wednesday.
Parents say they will continue their sit-in at Whittier until a resolution is found.
