Chicago Teachers Face an Uncertain Future

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Some major shake-ups may be on the horizon for the Windy City's teachers. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Public Schools system is set to unveil a plan to create one hundred new schools by 2010. Under the plan, which will be funded in large part by foundations and other donors($25 million has already been committed), a third of the schools will be charters, a third will be contract schools and a third will be run by the school system. Many of the schools will be created within existing schools. In the meantime, a hundred of the lowest performing schools will be reconstituted and ten under-enrolled schools will be closed, a move that will likely force hundreds of teachers to have to re-apply for their jobs or else seek new positions. Chicago Teachers' Union President-elect Marilyn Stewart said she would withhold comment until the plan was officially unveiled. Stay tuned.