LINCOLN SQUARE — A zoning decision on a proposed charter high school in Lincoln Square has been deferred until at least May, per a request made by the school's attorney at Friday's meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey, who maintains a private law practice, appeared on behalf of the school at Friday's meeting and requested that the zoning request be pushed to the board's May 15 meeting.
Fritchey did not return calls seeking additional comment.
Pathways in Education is aiming to open its fourth alternative school in Chicago at 4816 N. Western Ave., news of which caught neighborhood residents by surprise.
"No one knew about this," said one post on social media.
"There's been zero community input on this," said another.
Ald. Pat O'Connor (40th), who picked up this portion of Lincoln Square in the most recent ward remap, responded that talks of a zoning change are premature.
In an email to DNAinfo, he said that officials have yet "to determine whether or not, in fact, a school could actually be established at that site."
If the building is cleared for use, "then there will be a public process which would include community meetings to discuss whether or not it is an appropriate spot for a school. The ZBA hearing would not take place until these issues have been resolved," he added.
O'Connor did not respond to further questions as to why Pathways appears to have already moved into the storefront — accepting mail at the address and outfitting the space with computers, desks, tables and other equipment.
Pathways (PIE) is one of four companies approved in 2014 by Chicago Public Schools as part of an expansion of programs aimed at struggling students and dropouts, technically referred to as Alternative Learning Opportunity Programs.
Founded in California in 1987, PIE manages more than 30 schools in California, Tennessee, Louisiana and Chicago, according to the company's website.
The Chicago PIE schools serve students ages 15-21, targeting, according to CPS, "youth who have been out of school, are significantly off track for graduation, are chronically truant or are otherwise at risk for academic failure."
In 2013, a Concept charter school, proposed for Lincoln Square at the same time Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the closing of 50 CPS schools, was strongly opposed by members of the community, who vowed to fight it "tooth and nail." Concept eventually withdrew its plan.
At the time, O'Connor came out against the Concept charter proposal and its request for a zoning change.
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