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School boards
Chalkbeat spoke to budget watchdogs, municipal finance experts, district officials, school board members, the teachers union, community groups, and civic organizations about possible solutions for Chicago Public Schools’ budget crunch.
State lawmakers said they’re ready to collaborate with the Chicago school board to find funding solutions, but did not commit to a special session or additional education funding.
CPS officials estimate 1500 additional students would be eligible to advance a grade or work ahead a grade level under the new policy.
Board of Education President Sean Harden said borrowing money could be a short-term fix to avoid “draconian cuts” to schools.
CPS owes teachers retroactive raises for last school year and could be making more school-based cuts this month as it works to close a gaping deficit.
The proposed changes are aimed at providing more students the opportunity to move up a grade or take accelerated classes. Officials say internal data show most acceleration applicants come from the north side of the city, which is wealthier and whiter than other parts of Chicago.
People who took the community input survey said they want the next leader of Chicago schools to prioritize high-quality instruction, safety, and communication. The partly-elected school board is also requiring the next leader to hold a superintendent’s license.
Declining school enrollment has left 30% of Chicago public schools at least half-empty. The city’s failure to address this problem has come at a high cost to the district — and its students.
Pedro Martinez amended his lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Education for firing him without cause to seek damages from the teachers union and its president Stacy Davis Gates, alleging they waged a “demonization campaign” against him.
Mayor Brandon Johnson first appointed Thomas to the board last fall after the previous board resigned en masse.
In a close vote, the board voted to appoint King, despite concerns by some members over her record.
The school board is currently considering five people for the job of interim CEO, who will replace outgoing schools chief Pedro Martinez.
Chicago Public Schools put out to bid 20 properties, most of them closed schools from 2013. The journey to repurpose the old schools could be long and winding.
Chicago Public Schools demolished the old Dett Elementary in fall 2024 after an extra-alarm fire broke out earlier that year. It cost the district $1.25 million. The vacant property is now listed for $1.3 million.
A required training for Chicago Board of Education members focused on Illinois’ school improvement and accountability system. That system could change soon, but some board members worry any labeling of schools is more harmful than helpful.
A presentation used to brief school board members and obtained by Chalkbeat outlined potential cuts, many of which include staff and programs supported by federal COVID relief money. District officials and school board members look to lobby City Hall and Illinois lawmakers for funding.
The school board’s vote seals the contract with the teachers union. The final deal includes limits on class sizes and more preparation time for elementary school teachers.
The school board has delayed its charter renewal votes for two months, leaving many charter families and educators wondering about the future of their schools.
The committee is mandated by state law, which was amended at the same time lawmakers drew electoral districts for Chicago’s first school board elections.
More privately-run, public charter schools in Chicago have closed in recent years. In a first, Chicago Public Schools is poised to convert five back to district-run campuses.