AFT to investigate abrupt shutdown of unionized DC charter school

​Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy – the only unionized charter schools in DC – abruptly announced on Wednesday it was closing its middle schools and consolidating its two high schools on one campus. Chavez educators found out their schools were closing via calls from the media. “Cesar Chavez would be appalled that management at the school that proudly bears his name has treated children, their parents and their educators with such utter contempt,” said American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. “A perennial problem with under-regulated charter schools is the lack of transparency, accountability and stability. Public schools could never operate in this cavalier and specious manner. Today, Chavez management showed just how damaging that absence of accountability can be.” Educator leaders at Chavez and the AFT have launched an investigation and are considering legal action.
photo: Chavez teachers in June 2017 after voting to join the District of Columbia Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff, affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers. 

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