The first public charter high school in the Chicago suburbs will begin classes on Thursday. The opening of Southland College Prep in Matteson had been fought against by the local high school district.
Officials from Rich Township High School District 227 claim they’ll lose more than $7 million a year because of the charter school.
Dr. Blondean Davis is the CEO of Southland. She says the charter school isn’t a slap in the face to the pre-existing high school.
DAVIS: I don’t think it’s about necessarily the existing high school. It’s about creating a choice. And many times in the suburban area, there is not a choice, and there should be.
Davis says 125 students are enrolled at Southland College Prep.
A spokeswoman for Rich Tonwnship High School says the district can’t comment because it’s still pursuing legal action against the school.
Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.
