Public Hearings Set for CPS Budget Calling for $68 Million in Classroom Cuts

Parents, teachers and students have three chances to speak out about the proposed Chicago Public Schools budget for the 2013-2014 school year. 

Those chances follow a July 24 board meeting where officials laid out a plan to drain reserves, raise property taxes and cut spending to close a $1 billion budget gap.

The proposed budget, totaling $5.58 billion, calls for $68 million in cuts to the classroom. It also takes about $700 million from the district's reserve balance and puts property taxes at the ceiling.

Those figures come four months after officials announced 49 schools would close in the fall. With those closures, nearly 1,000 teachers lost their jobs. 

Lincoln Square elementary schools like Chappell and McPherson will see an influx of students, as Andersonville's Trumbull Elementary was on the list of shuttered buildings.

While those schools were promised extra amenities and funding, others have seen budget cuts up to $1 million. Amundsen High School's Local School Council passed a budget that was $700,000 less than the previous year and displaced 11 staff members. 

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CPS officials and Mayor Rahm Emanuel say the budget struggles are due to a CPS pension crisis, requiring a $613 million payment. That's something only representatives in Springfield can fix, Emanuel said. 

Board of Education members have to vote on the budget by the August meeting. And unless pension reformed is passed in the state legislature, CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett said the district will continue to face financial crisis. 

But North Side officials are calling for a different solution. Ward 47 Ald. Ameya Pawar ands a group of legislators are asking for a surplus in TIF funding to bridge the gap. 

It's a one-time solution, Pawar said, but would give state legislators more time to fix structural problems. 

The alderman also encouraged residents to attend the three budget hearings scheduled to give feedback to CPS officials. 

Those are:

Thursday at Truman College Novar Hall, 1145 W. Wilson Ave.
Registration: 5 to 6 p.m.
Hearing 6 to 8 p.m.

Thursday at Kennedy King College Theater, 740 W. 63rd St.
Registration: 5 to 6 p.m.
Hearing 6 to 8 p.m.

Friday at Malcom X College in the Bruce K. Hayden Room, 1900 W. Van Buren St.
Registration: 5 to 6 p.m.
Hearing 6 to 8 p.m.