CPS Considering Program Cuts and Staff Furloughs to Pay for Pending Teachers Contract
Potential Options to Balance Budget Include Reducing Programming and Operations
According to detailed slides prepared by Chicago Public Schools, the district is exploring options to pay for the pending Chicago Teacher Union contract, including mid-year cuts to programming and operations, eliminating some staff training, or as an “option of last resort,” forcing all staff to take furloughs.
Saving $505 Million: A Start, But Still a Ways to Go
CPS officials have already saved $505 million by cutting administrative costs, laying off central office staff, restructuring debt, and leaving vacancies unfilled. However, to balance this year’s budget, the district needs at least $120 million more, which is not accounted for in the current budget.
Furloughs: The Option of Last Resort
As a possible solution, the district has considered implementing furloughs, which would force all staff, union and non-union, to stay home when students are not scheduled to be in class. For every furlough day, the district would save $15.4 million, but it would also reduce average teachers’ pay by 0.5%.
Options for Finding Savings
Other potential options for finding savings include reducing the number of engineers, bus aides, security guards, tech supports; terminating leases with buildings rented by CPS’; buying less non-digital curricular materials; and cutting tutoring, mentoring, and other programs.
Consequences for Staff and Students
If furloughs become a reality, it could have serious consequences for both staff and students. As Stacia Scott, executive vice president for SEIU-73, warned, “They were forced to give back their raises twice in the past, when the district needed a bailout. They cannot afford to have the district balance its budget on their backs with furlough days or cuts.”
Conclusion
The discussion around potential budget cuts and furloughs has sparked concerns about the future of Chicago Public Schools and the impact on staff and students. While the district has made significant strides in reducing costs, it appears that further measures will be necessary to balance the budget. The next steps for CPS and the CTU will be crucial in shaping the future of the school district.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is CPS considering budget cuts and furloughs?
A: The district needs to find ways to balance its budget, and the pending teacher contract settlement requires additional funding.
Q: What options are on the table for finding savings?
A: The district is exploring a range of options, including reducing programming and operations, eliminating some staff training, and considering furloughs as a last resort.
Q: How would furloughs affect staff and students?
A: Furloughs would reduce average teachers’ pay by 0.5%, and could have a devastating impact on families and communities across the city.
Q: What does this mean for the future of CPS?
A: The consequences of budget cuts and furloughs will have a lasting impact on the district, its staff, and its students.
