Plato Learning Academy wants to merge its two campuses in Austin, according to a legal notice the Chicago Public Schools placed last week in the Chicago Sun-Times.
It is unclear which campus will remain open; the K-4th grade campus is located at 5545 W. Harrison, while the middle campus, which serves student enrolled in grades 5-8, is located at 116 N. LeClaire.
A representative of American Quality Schools, the company that operates the Plato Learning Academy properties, did not return a call for comment.
Longtime Austin resident and public school advocate Dwayne Truss said he believes the merger could be under consideration because there are too few students.
Enrollment on both campuses totals about 350 students; the school is rated by CPS as a Level 2 school.
“The issue could be enrollment, but a larger issue is the lack of communication from CPS to the community,” Truss said.
CPS did not return a call for comment.
The district is holding a public hearing April 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 42 W. Madison St. (Garden Level Board Room). Those wanting to testify in favor or against the merger can sign in between 5 and 6:30 p.m.; each speaker will have up to 2 minutes.
Written comments will be accepted until 10 a.m. April 12. Comments may be submitted by hand to the Office of Innovation and Incubation, 3rd floor of 42 W. Madison St.; by fax to (773) 553-1559; or by email at iandipublichearings@cps.edu.