Competing organizations from outside and inside the district submitted bids last month for the opportunity to run 18 new and 12 low-performing schools under a sweeping move known as the Public School Choice Motion.

The remaining schools will operate under plans created by campus staff or smaller local districts.

By 6 a.m., a crowd consisting mostly of parents and teachers had already gathered at the district's Beaudry Avenue offices waiting for the afternoon board meeting. They formed a line that snaked over two city blocks.

Some wanted to make sure they would get a chance to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting, and others simply wanted to stakeout a prime spot in the boardroom.

Teachers wearing red T-shirts sported signs reading "support local school plans" and "let's put kids above politics" around their necks.

"I don't agree with charter schools," said Maywood Elementary School teacher Ayde Bravo. "They have been known to toss out students who don't perform on a high academic level and have high teacher turnover rates."

Cortines went through all 30 schools and explained the rationale behind his recommendations in detail to the board.

"I want to make sure in my recommendations the focus is on student achievement," he said.

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