A hearing officer, retired Cook County Judge Charles Winkler, had opposed the closing of Stewart, saying school officials and police could not guarantee the safety of school children who will now have to walk farther to school.



"Is there really enough time to get everyone up to speed so the 14,400 children from the closing schools are provided safe passage," Winkler wrote. "Will an understaffed Chicago Police Department be able to provide enough officers to assist the Stewart children? Will CPS hire a private security company to furnish properly trained personnel?"