CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) --Advocates for charter schools in Chicago came to City Hall Wednesday to protest the new Board of Education's moves to reduce or end school choice.
More than a dozen parents and others brought what they said were thousands of letters of support for school choice.
Parents said they are not being heard right now. They worry that the school Board, which approved a resolution to phase out school choice, will use upcoming charter renewals to make that a reality.
Myisha Shields, who's had five children in the Noble Charter School Network, said she was distressed when the Chicago School Board approved the resolution.
"This is the first time in history that I have heard of an appointed board making the decision without any community input that would end school choice," she said. "Clearly, that decision was made behind closed doors and that was not right."
Jennifer Wilson, who has two kids at Chicago International Charter School - Irving Park, said the charter was the best choice for her children, and she understands charters are not for everyone. She said that's the point and parents should be able to choose.
Wanda Blair Murphy, representing Art in Motion Charter High School aimed an appeal at Mayor Johnson. She said they backed Johnson for Mayor. Now they want him to back them.
"We put our lives on the line. We put our children's education on the line and what we really want is backup."
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