City public schools open

Chicago public schools opened today to the good news that 26schools were taken off the academic probation list, but with smallpockets of problems caused by power failures and busing snafus.

Schools chief Paul Vallas said the "dramatic reduction" in thenumber of schools on probation - because less than 15 percent oftheir students are reading at national norms - was "further evidencethat test scores are up and kids are improving academically."

Three elementary schools were added to the probation list,bringing the number on probation to 55 out of 484. In addition, 37high schools out of 74 are on probation.

At Disney Magnet, a new early start busing plan left 200 parentscomplaining about problems. However, Vallas said Disney was one ofonly four schools with busing problems Tuesday, and that number wasnot unusual for opening day.

Storms overnight knocked out power to 20 schools, but by middayonly six or seven were still dark, though they were open, saidSchools Chief Operating Officer Tim Martin.

At McPherson Elementary, 4728 N. Wolcott, Mayor Daley rang anold-fashioned school bell and declared today "the most important dayin Chicago because it's the opening day of school."

School Board President Gery Chico said that since 1995, when themayor's management team took over the school system, "peaceful"openings have become the norm, and strikes now are plaguing suburbanschool systems, such as Glenbard High School District 87, where thesecond day of a teachers strike kept schools from opening.