One family is looking forward to a new year of learning. But one mom, Jaciel Cathey, says the unpredictability of the district’s budget is impacting how long she’ll keep her son in CPS.

The board’s vote assumed an additional $100 million in unrestricted funds from the state but CPS says that money won’t be enough to reinstate every position cut earlier this summer.

The new funding calculations from state officials fall short of what Chicago’s school board assumed the district would receive in its recently passed budget.

Angel Gutierrez and Ellen Rosenfeld, who both faced challengers in 2024, are running unopposed this year. A mixture of politics and lack of awareness about the school board could explain why voters have been left with fewer choices.

Now about 10% of district-run schools are part of the program, which is meant to provide more wraparound support for schools. A Chalkbeat analysis previously found that schools in the program have mixed student outcomes.

CPS CEO Macquline King said she’s uncertain that school will start on time. Here’s what families and staff should expect.

The budget adopted by the board assumes that state lawmakers will provide another $150 million over what it’s already projected to provide to CPS. Some say it is a pressure tactic, and others see major financial risks.

Unite Here Local 1 has requested a fact-finding process in which a third party will review the arguments from the union and the school district.

Some school board members say the budget’s proposed cuts are necessary, while others wonder if they can tweak revenue projections in order to avoid them.

Chicago Public Schools is finalizing its budget plan for next school year, and for many schools, that will mean significant changes to the number of staff positions.