The Chicago Board of Education will vote Thursday on whether to renew two Urban Prep schools’ charter, a decision that comes amid an ongoing legal dispute and concerns over previous misconduct allegations. Here’s what to know ahead of the vote.
What Happened at Urban Prep?
For years, the charter school network boasted 100% of its graduating seniors, many Black boys, getting into four-year colleges.
But founder Tim King resigned last year after allegations surfaced that he had groomed an underage student and mismanaged finances at the charter school network. (King denies the allegations.)
Inside the Legal Battle
The accusations prompted the board not to renew the schools’ charter last fall, which would have led to CPS taking over two South Side schools.
After Urban Prep sued (and a lot of other legal back-and-forth), a Cook County judge sided with the charter school network in July, finding that CPS’ plan to take over the Bronzeville and Englewood campuses violated the district’s moratorium on school closures.
CPS has appealed the judge’s decision, WBEZ reported.
Urban Prep Academy in Englewood. (artistmac / Flickr)
So What’s Next?
The board is expected to vote to renew Urban Prep’s charter, which includes 15 requirements like cooperating with CPS investigators and submitting viable financial plans for the next few years, WTTW reported.
