Quinn at Ag School: ‘Jobs follow brain power’
BY CASEY TONER ctoner@southtownstar.com February 6, 2012 1:18PM
Gov. Pat Quinn speaks Monday at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences to highlight legislation that allows students in urban areas more access to agricultural education. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 8, 2012 8:09AM
Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday trumpeted legislation that calls for boosting enrollment at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences by 120 students while also opening it to more local pupils.
Enrollment will increase from 600 to 720 students over the next three years, according to SB 1226, which Quinn signed into law Dec. 30. The legislation also requires that 50 percent of the enrollment come from the area in “proximity to the school,” up from 40 percent. “Proximity to the school” is defined as the area within the city limits south of 87th Street and west of Wood Street.
“Economic growth means investing in education,” Quinn said. “Jobs follow brain power.”
Enrollment is determined by lottery, but local students now will have a better chance to be enrolled at the school, 3857 W. 111th St., in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community.
Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) said that it is “critical,” more residents of the Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Morgan Park areas take advantage of the school.
“As you can tell by the number of applications, the rest of Chicago has figured out what a great place the agricultural school is,” O’Shea said.
State Rep. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) said the Illinois General Assembly governs the school’s enrollment rather than the Chicago Public Schools because state law initially capped enrollment of the school, which first opened in 1985.
“It’s the crown jewel of my district as far as I’m concerned,” Cunningham said.
School principal William E. Hook said the influx of students, which will bring the school to capacity, will create five teaching jobs in the next three years. He said demand for the school is soaring as more than 3,000 applications were submitted for only 150 freshman spots.
“Our teachers know their students, the students know the teachers, and the students know the teachers know them,” Hook said. “I think with 720 students, the school will have the same type of feel.”
The school offers students who are talented in math and science a unique opportunity to gain education in agriculture, business and science. The 72-acre campus also boasts a 40-acre working farm, the only remaining farm in city limits.
Praising the school, Quinn said that agriculture is a booming industry in Illinois.
One quarter of the state’s soybean crop is exported to China annually, according to the Illinois Soybean Association.
“We’re a mighty agricultural state,” Quinn said. “All the students here are getting a good education in an area that produces many jobs.”
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