www.catalyst-chicago.org/news/index.php?item=2196&cat=2 -
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Published on: 5/16/2007
Last Visited: 5/16/2007
In fact, David Vitale, outgoing chief administrative officer, concedes that CPS has put Renaissance projects at the head of the line.
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Vitale, who has overseen the capital program in recent years, admits the district has targeted help to its new schools.He says it makes sense to make repairs when a school is empty, as they generally are after a school closing makes way for a Renaissance project.
"We consciously prioritize these schools to get them into an acceptable level for reopening," he adds.
For their part, charter operators contend that they need more help with facilities, not less.Many Renaissance buildings needed major work to get them ready, Vaughn notes, and some of those buildings are housing two schools and needed renovations to accommodate space-sharing.
Vitale also hopes that school funding reform in Springfield will end the state's three-year freeze on capital dollars.If it does, then CPS should reap about $100 million in renovation money annually.
With that money, Vitale adds, "We'll get more done like we should."