New CPS High School Will Not be Named After Obama

Officials scrap plans to name school after Obama due to "questions and concerns from the community"

The "community" has spoken, and a planned Chicago high school will not be named after President Barack Obama.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett announced plans in April to build Barack Obama College Preparatory High School, a selective-enrollment high school that will open in time for the 2017-18 school year.

Emanuel issued a statement Thursday explaining the decision.

"Over the last few months, my team has listened to questions and concerns from the community, ranging from location of the building to the naming of the school. We take that community input seriously, which is why -- as we continue to look for a thoughtful way to honor President Obama -- we will look for other possible names for this future school," Emanuel said.

The school will be located on Chicago Park District property near Skinner North Classical School on the city's North Side, and will be financed with $60 million in tax increment financing funds.

The school will enroll 1,200 students, starting with a freshman class of nearly 300.

Earlier this week, south Chicago suburbs Park Forest and Chicago Heights renamed two area schools in tribute to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

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