Larger Classroom Could Violate CPS Fire Codes

By Amy Perry in News on Apr 29, 2010 6:40PM

Chicago Public Schools are searching for ways to save money but increasing class sizes to 35 students could violate fire codes. The Sun-Times reports that the president of the Chicago Teachers Union, Marilyn Stewart, is opposed to the idea of adding five more students to the classroom and claims it violates the fire codes that were established after the horrific fire in 1958 at Our Lady of Angels School.

The municipal code calls for "20 square feet per person" in a classroom, which means CPS would need a 720-square-foot classroom to accommodate 35 kids and a teacher, a Fire Department spokesman said Wednesday. An additional aid or parent volunteer could require even more space.

More than 90 percent of CPS classrooms are at least 700 square feet, CPS spokeswoman Monique Bond said, with new buildings typically holding 900-square foot classrooms.

In addition to disagreements in class size increases, many teachers are demanding details on CPS budget cuts, hires and contracts. Many feel left in the dark and feel CPS CEO Ron Huberman should go public with the salaries of top bureaucrats. CPS answered requests by saying that it hopes to post the data on budget cuts and salaries to its Web site.