Chicago Public Schools officials presented a new plan to potentially absorb seven Acero schools slated for closure at a late school board meeting Thursday evening that began with a surprise development and then dragged on for hours.

The charter network said in October it would close several schools due to a $40 million budget shortfall. Families and teachers have pleaded for them to stay open.

Acero charter school leadership said nothing Wednesday evening to a crowd of parents, teachers, students and city officials asking them to keep open several schools slated for closure. At a packed board meeting in Idar Elementary gym in Gage Park,