My 69th post: Chicago plans to shutter 54 public schools

Well, this is my 69th post. You will think this is hilarious if you know what I meant when I wrote about the #69.
OK, let's get back to the news. Chicago school officials said on Thursday (March 21, 2013) that they plan to close 54 schools and 61 school buildings by the beginning of the next academic year. The move, which experts called the largest mass closing in the nation, is in an effort to stabilize an educational system facing a huge budget shortfall. Throughout the day, principals, teachers and parents were notified that their schools were on the closing list. But until late afternoon, neither the mayor’s office nor Chicago Public Schools officials would confirm the numbers. The cut represents roughly 10% of all elementary school facilities in Chicago Public Schools, the country's third-largest school district. The closures and cutbacks will help save $560 million over the next decade. But the move will cost the city money in the short run, because school officials estimated it would cost $233 million to upgrade schools receiving new students and for more security. Meanwhile, union leaders and parent activists protested the decision, saying that closings would disproportionately hurt African Americans. It can undermine neighborhoods and cause safety problems for students who may as a result have to cross gang lines.