CPS Cuts School Budgets, Could Save $96 Million

Yesterday, the Chicago Public Schools sent first drafts of next year's budgets to principals. As expected, they include staffing cuts. Thanks to pandemic relief funds, Chicago's public schools had a few years' reprieve from staff layoffs. But now those funds are gone, enrollment is down, and the state has yet to achieve its goal of equitable funding for school districts across Illinois. CPS currently receives only 73% of the funds considered "adequate" according to the state's own evidence-based funding formula.

District leaders said no elementary school would see more than four teachers cut; for high schools, the maximum loss is six teachers. In a letter to members, the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association said CPS is eliminating assistant principal positions at schools with fewer than 250 students; the move affects about 120 assistant principals.

According to the Chicago Tribune, acting chief budget officer Emilia Zoko said at a press briefing that school funding levels would remain "roughly equal" but be reallocated as needed. That likely means preserving special education and English learner teachers. Though overall enrollment is declining across the district, many schools are serving more English learners and students receiving special education services.

However, there's good reason to suspect there's more going on than a mere shift of funds. Chalkbeat Chicago reported that a memo to school board members from Zoko estimated this year's school budgets could save the district $96 million. That's close to an estimate by WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times. They calculated that between 700 and 800 teachers could be facing layoffs, for a savings of between $70 million and $80 million. Assistant principal layoffs could make up most of the rest of Zoko's estimate.

It's important to note that school budgets are not a done deal yet. Principals have almost a month to review their budgets, confer with their Local School Councils, and appeal to central office. But CPS must close a deficit of more than $730 million, and is assuming only $100 million in TIF surplus from the city – far less than the record-breaking $552 million received last year.

June 9 is the deadline for schools to submit final budgets approved by their Local School Councils.

Today's Board Agenda

Here's what to expect at today's Agenda Review Committee meeting.

Public participation. A strong showing from CPAA in support of assistant principals facing layoffs.

Testing and Assessment Contracts. CPS is proposing a $10 million, two-year contract with the College Board for Advanced Placement and SAT exams, score reporting, and professional development workshops for teachers. The Illinois Institute of Technology's contract to administer testing for selective enrollment elementary schools and accelerated placement is being increased by $100,000, to $2,673,718. The contract expires in 2027. CPS is renewing its contract with National Louis University to use the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observations to assess PreK classrooms, helping teachers improve their practices. The one-year contract totals $1,696,606.

Policy Updates. Public comment will open soon for three policies: amending and renaming the current Education of Homeless Children and Youth Policy, the Options School Academic Accountability Policy, and the Concussion Management Policy.

Renaming Air Force Academy. At the beginning of the current school year, the Air Force JROTC program was deactivated and replaced with an Army JROTC program. The school will be renamed Tammera L. Holmes Aero Academy. According to a September 2025 article from Chalkbeat Chicago, CPS planned to continue the school's aviation program.

Amendments to Previous Charter Renewals. Previous renewals are being amended to note consolidations or changes in grade configuration. Chicago International Charter School is moving third-graders from its Longwood campus to its Loomis campus; the two schools sit on the same block of 95th Street. Rowe Elementary is consolidating into one building at 1424 N. Cleaver Street. Urban Prep is consolidating to one campus in Englewood.

Resolution Supporting "Progressive Revenue Solutions." CPS has yet to adopt a formal legislative agenda this year, and the state legislative session ends May 31. Apparently in lieu of adopting an agenda, the board will consider a resolution supporting "a suite of progressive revenue measures estimated to generate over $4 billion." Last week, the state Senate Progressive Caucus held a hearing on four bills, including a proposal to tax digital advertisers with annual revenue above $150 million.

Extend Renewal Contract Negotiations. Among a variety of contracts still in negotiation, contract negotiation deadlines are to be extended until July 29 for eight charter or contract schools and charter networks: Alain Locke Charter (renewed 2023), Chicago Tech Academy (renewed 2023), ChiArts (renewed 2024), Chicago International Charter Schools (renewed 2024), Great Lakes Academy (renewed 2024), Namaste Charter School (renewed 2024), Noble Network of Charter Schools (renewed 2024), Youth Connection Charter School (renewed 2025).

Macquline King Officially Becomes Superintendent, Not Just CEO. The final item on today's agenda revises King's contract. Her start date is back-dated to March 31 and the contract is amended to give her the official title of Superintendent/CEO.

And here's what you're not going to see today...

Charter Renewals Coming Soon

There's a placeholder in today's board meeting agenda for this year's charter renewals. At the full board meeting on May 28, the board is expected to vote on renewals for seven charter schools/networks: Academy for Global Citizenship, Acero Charter Schools, Chicago Collegiate, Chicago Math & Science Academy, Christopher House, Intrinsic Charter Schools, and the University of Chicago Charter School.

Charter renewals have been a bone of contention among the board members. Their disagreement reflects ideological differences over whether charter schools should exist and frustration with a process that renewed operators, only to see them close campuses (Acero) or even close during the school year (ASPIRA). Next week Board Rule will dig deeper into this issue.

Taft HS Student Runs for School Board

Jack Matheis, a Taft junior and Local School Council member, has announced he is running for the District 1A seat. It's unusual to see a current student run for a voting seat, since board members are required to be at least 18 years old.

Jobs

CPS is hiring a Sustainable Community Schools Coordinator to manage implementing the SCS model in a cohort of schools. Schools are now in the application process to join the new cohort.