20 of Chicago's public schools slated to close or merge

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

Chicago Public Schools are expected to announce plans next month to close or consolidate at least 20 schools next school year -- up from 18 last year.

Eight to 12 struggling schools, including at least two high schools, probably will be targeted for closing and a summer "turnaround,'' based on poor academic performance, said David Pickens, a spokesman for the school system.

Other schools face closing, consolidation or phaseout because they are at least half-empty, Pickens said. About 90 schools are at least half-empty

The declining school population of Chicago.