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District Backs Union-Designed High School
Next fall Chicago could have its first high school formed by labor unions. The project is among 18 new schools the district is recommending for Board of Education approval this month.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers and Service Employees International Union Local 73 have formed a nonprofit group to run the school. They’ve agreed to locate the school in West Garfield Park, a mostly African American neighborhood. Carlene Lutz works for the teachers union.
LUTZ: There’ve been teacher-designed schools. That’s what almost everyone one of the charters are. The uniqueness is that unions have been involved in the design of this school.
Lutz says the school will encourage its staff to bargain compensation through unions.
District chief Arne Duncan usually sits on the other side of the table from unions. But he likes this project.
DUNCAN: We’ve had people come to the table with a real sense of purpose and mission. And I absolutely support the program.
The school board is scheduled to vote on the union school October 22.
I’m Chip Mitchell, Chicago Public Radio.
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