Dozens of parents and teachers made their plea to the ASPIRA board of directors Wednesday night, trying to keep the charter middle school open. In the end, the decision came down to financials.

Cook County School District 130, which serves Alsip, Blue Island, Crestwood and Robbins, received a $10.8 million federal grant.

Tearful parents and teachers watched as ASPIRA charter schools board members voted Wednesday night to close their Albany Park ...