Education
Chicago Board of Education Members Weigh in on CPS Budget Proposal, $734M Shortfall
Monday marked the first day of classes for Chicago Public Schools students, and the district faces a $734 million budget shortfall as the new academic year kicks off.
CPS leaders said they crafted a budget proposal to keep cuts out of the classroom, but the plan leans heavily on one-time funding, raising questions about long-term stability. Some of the money-saving measures proposed are central office staff reductions, IT project delays and hiring freezes.
Chicago Board of Education member Michilla Blaise, who was appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, called the proposal “thoughtful” for aiming to reduce the classroom impacts while noting staff members will do more with less.
“We’ve already cut Safe Passage workers, some crossing guards, and what happens outside really does impact the classroom,” said Blaise, who represents District 5B.
The budget also includes $79 million in TIF revenue assumptions, bringing the total expected from the city up to nearly $379 million. Some are concerned about the sustainability of the plan, such as board member Jitu Brown.
“While we are dramatically underfunded by the state of Illinois, every dollar that we can get is money that we need,” said Brown, who was elected to District 5A.
“You prioritize what is important to you,” Blaise said. “We have the money to make prisons, to help football teams.”
One of the most controversial parts of the plan is the decision to defer a $175 million pension payment unless CPS gets TIF money or adequate state funding.
“There was a commitment made to City Council, which resulted in the largest TIF surplus ever to Chicago Public Schools,” Brown said. “I think it’s naive to think that if we don’t provide that agreed-upon support then it’s foolhardy to think that they are not going to spend their TIFs so that we would have a large TIF surplus again. It’s being a good partner.”
This budget plan is happening under new leadership — with both the first hybrid elected/appointed board and interim CEO Macquline King, who took over from ousted CEO Pedro Martinez.
Blaise, who voted yes for King, is so far optimistic about King’s leadership.
“This is a tough position to be in,” Blaise said. “There are lots of forces putting lots of pressure on her. She’s going to bring calm, and she’s going to bring decisive leadership.”
The board will vote on the budget on Aug. 28. State law requires the district to have a balanced budget by Aug. 29.
