Seeking to reverse layoffs, Chicago school board approves budget, assuming more state money will come
Bucking warnings from Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King, the school board amended and narrowly passed a roughly $10 billion budget proposal Thursday that assumes the district will receive $150 million more in state funding than projected. Eleven board members voted to reverse…
The Chicago school board approved a $10 billion budget proposal on Thursday, despite warnings from CEO Macau King. The revision assumes the district will receive an additional $150 million in state funding. Eleven appointed board members voted to reverse staff layoffs, following the demands of the Chicago Teachers Union and the principals union.
However, the vote was split, with elected board members and some appointed members voting against the proposal. District officials pushed for the vote to secure short-term borrowing and avoid a "de-facto shutdown" before the September 4 payroll. A spokesperson stated that failing to meet payroll could violate laws and collective bargaining agreements, potentially damaging the district's credit rating.
The decision comes after furloughs were reduced and TIF surplus dollars were increased. The vote was made possible by board members reminding themselves of past budgeting failures when state funding was not received, and school level cuts were imposed.
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