CPS PLEDGES TO INVEST $619M IN 300 SCHOOLS
Chicago Public Schools says it plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in neighborhood schools and make the largest investments ever in pre-K classrooms and “highquality academic programs,” including STEM, International Baccalaureate and fine and performing arts.
The budget released Thursday invests $619 million in “critical building improvements” at more than 300 schools, the district said. The schools are attended by 161,000 students citywide.
“It’s time for every child in Chicago to receive a quality education, no matter who they are or where they live,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at a press conference at Morgan Park High School. “It’s time that we prove to our children, through our schools, that we believe in them, that we support them.”
The district said in a statement that it is focusing on renovating neighborhood schools, including fixing roofs and making needed mechanical repairs. The statement said it was making these improvements a priority over constructing new buildings or additions to schools, in contrast to previous years when the “district invested in significant new construction projects that benefited a smaller number of families.”
Among the largest investments in school infrastructure are:
♦ $25 million to replace the roof and make improvements to the building at Sullivan High School
♦ $13.5 million for improvements at Reilly Elementary School
♦ $12 million for roof replacement and other renovations at Morgan Park High School, plus another $10 million for a new turf athletic field at Morgan Park
♦ $7 million to Earle Elementary School for roof replacement and structural improvements, and $10 million for mechanical system renovations at Earle
The district is also earmarking $120 million for pre-K facilities, including $20 million for classroom conversions at 106 schools for the academic year beginning next month and $100 million for classroom expansion of pre-K seats for the 2020-21 school year.
The budget says 32 schools will get $5 million to expand high-quality programs for 17,000 students.
Schools with low or declining enrollments — which have been hurt by per-pupil funding formulas — will get more money, the district said, via $31 million in “equity grant funding” to 219 schools.
Elementary schools with fewer than 450 students enrolled and high schools with fewer than 600 students will receive $750 and $1,200, respectively, for each student below that threshold. Schools with drastic enrollment loss will receive additional funds, capped at $400,000 total.
Among the schools getting the most in equity grant funding are Bronzeville High School, which has an enrollment of 113 students, and Dunbar High School with 327 students.
“These funds will allow schools with low or declining enrollment to provide the instructional programming and supplemental resources and supports that students need to reach their potential,” CPS said.
Fact-finder rules on CTU negotiations
Meanwhile, a fact-finder who is working with the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS issued a report that sides with the district in recommending a new five-year contract, a copy of the report obtained by the Sun-Times shows.
The report’s suggestion on wages and employee health contributions was a compromise between the two sides’ proposals, with the fact-finder recommending a 16% raise over five years instead of CPS’ proposed 14% raise over that term. The teachers union had asked for a 15% raise over three years.