A tale of two schools on protest day

Public Affairs, Winter 2016

February 18, 2016

By Vishakha Darbha and Bian Elkhatib

eachers, parents and students gathered across the city Wednesday to protest Chicago Public Schools’ budget cuts.

The Chicago Teachers Union helped organize the demonstrations in nearly 200 schools, demanding more funding for teachers and extra-curricular activities. Other issues included smaller classrooms and a decrease in standardized tests.

Medill checked out the protests at two very different schools located within five miles of one another.

At Saucedo Elementary Scholastic Academy, about 30 people gathered outside the school. Teachers, parents and students gave speeches about how the budget cuts could affect them in adverse ways.

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Teachers and Parents Protest Against Budget Cuts Outside Saucedo Scholastic Academy (Vishakha Darbha/MEDILL)

At Walter Payton College Prep, about 40 parents, students and teachers staged a walk-in.

Payton hasn’t been as affected by the budget cuts because parents have contributed to the school’s funds.

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Walter Payton students, teachers and parents stage walk-in against budget cuts (Bian Elkhatib/MEDILL)

The walk-ins were held on the same day as Governor Bruce Rauner’s second budget proposal in Springfield.

Photo at Top: Teachers, parents and children stand in front of Saucedo Scholastic Academy as they rally against budget cuts (Hannah Joy Gebresilassie/MEDILL)