Keller Regional Gifted Center won't be moving. And Chicago Public Schools will build a modular unit at Mount Greenwood Elementary to accommodate overcrowding. Oh, how things change.

In the last two weeks, CPS quietly told parents of Keller students - some of the best and brightest in the state - that the school could be relocated next academic year. Then, after word leaked out to the community at large, CPS and CEO Ron Huberman backtracked, telling parents that there was no immediate plan to relocate Keller (3020 W. 108th St.) 10 miles north to 51st and Wells.

Meanwhile, parents of Mount Greenwood students grew increasingly confused, unsure whether Ald. Ginger Rugai had been sincere in her attempts to alleviate overcrowding.

This year more than 750 students are enrolled at Mount Greenwood School (10841 S. Homan Ave.), but CPS projects that enrollment will hit 780 next year and 869 by 2013. The modular unit - estimated to cost $50,000 - could accommodate up to 120 students.

Rugai has taken credit for the decision to keep Keller in Mount Greenwood - and to expand classroom space at the neighborhood school. But it's no secret that Rugai has discussed moving students of the neighborhood school into the gifted school.

As usual, she has not returned my calls.

Keep logging on to the Southwest Observer for coverage of the overcrowding issue as well as the economic impact on both public and parochial schools.