In an important decision on Thursday, the Chicago Board of Education gave the green light to a revised budget for Chicago Public Schools, now benefitting from increased financial support coming from the state capital, Springfield, Illinois.
The revamped financial plan incorporates a significant boost, with an infusion of $150 million in fresh state funds.
Reacting to this development, the Chicago Teachers Union shared their thoughts through a post on their official CTU website.
Meanwhile, Chicago Public Schools released a statement highlighting a pressing concern: “The updated budget compromises our District’s capacity to obtain necessary short-term financial solutions, like Tax Anticipation Notes, which are crucial for meeting the early September payroll. We are now tasked with presenting these altered conditions to lenders, though it’s unclear how the markets will respond.
“To put it plainly, there’s no assurance that CPS will secure the needed financing before the September 4 payroll deadline.”
“Failing to meet payroll is unacceptable. This places the District at significant risk of being in violation of the law and collective bargaining agreements. It may also damage our credit rating and severely restrict our future borrowing capacity for capital projects and operational needs.
“Most critically, any disruption in pay directly threatens the stability of our schools, impacting our students, families, and dedicated staff. CPS teachers and students belong in the classroom-not in limbo.
“We remain committed to full transparency and will provide updates as we navigate this financial challenge.”
This is a breaking news update. The following is from an earlier report. The video in the player above is from an earlier report.
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The district said it would not be able to make payroll in September if the budget does not pass Thursday, but union leadership was fighting against it.
CPS lunchroom workers were among the dozens marching outside Chicago Public School Headquarters to protest as the board is expected to vote on a proposed nearly $10-billion spending plan.
“We are fighting for higher wages, more employee in the lunchroom, rights, respect. We are one of the lowest paid positions in CPS,” Anise Balfour, CPS lunchroom cook said.
The district faces a more than $700-million budget deficit which it blames on in part to depleted pandemic relief funds, rising operational costs and lower student enrollment.
Critics of the proposed budget say any layoffs and cuts will gut school services and create crowded classrooms causing permanent harm to students.
“It is important that we understand that a society that does not invest in young people, betrays its young people,” Jitu Brown, Board of Education District 5 member, said.
CPS CEO Dr. Macquiline King said the upcoming school year could be in jeopardy if a budget isn’t approved writing in part in a lengthy emailed statement, “We are already on the knife’s edge. If we do not pass a budget… based on realistic and actual revenue, we will be unable to access short-term financing, and we will fail to make our first round of payroll for the school year — essentially shutting down the District as staff and students are supposed to be returning to the classroom.
And while school officials said they need an approved budget so they can make payroll in September payroll in September, the Chicago Teachers Union plans to fight the layoffs wants to amend the budget to start the school year fully staffed.
“Our school communities are being threatened from opening and operating fully because our governors tells us everything, but yes and then our school board is going to go in here and do an impossible task,” Chicago Teachers Union president Stacy Davis Gates said.
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