Watch CBS News

Rogers Park School Is Crumbling Around Students, Parents Tell CPS

(CBS) -- Peeling paint, some of it lead-based. Cold classrooms. Health-code violations.

These are just some of the issues parents and staff at a Rogers Park elementary school have been fighting to fix for years.

So, why no action?

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports.

In a classroom at Gale Math and Science Academy, the peeling paint often falls to desks and the floor.

"It's just been horrible in some of the classrooms," says parent and Local School Council member Josh Hartwell.

He says considering the building's 1922 construction date there are real concerns about paint chips containing lead. But that's not all.

Besides peeling paint, Joanna Su cites a malfunctioning fire alarm and persistent heating problems in Gale's annex, at times leaving some rooms at 55 degrees.

They say the problems have been documented over the years and in requests for maintenance to Chicago Public Schools -- with no remedy.

CPS is budgeted to spend more than $5 million on furniture for its new Loop digs. Su says something may finally be in the works, though.

The school just received this notice about lead paint removal. Check one off the list, perhaps.

Su says she'll believe it when she sees it.

A CPS spokesperson says the system has a plan in place to deal with the complaints at Gale.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.