Introduction to the New Contract
The Chicago Board of Education has finalized the new Chicago Teachers Union contract, which will cover roughly 30,000 educators and support staff. The board’s Thursday vote puts the contract into effect; the union’s membership ratified the contract earlier this month with a nearly unanimous vote to approve it from 85% of union members.
Key Provisions of the Contract
The four-year contract is expected to cost a total of $1.4 billion. It includes class size limits, requirements to hire hundreds of new staff, including more teacher assistants, and ten additional minutes of preparation time for elementary school teachers — which at some schools could also mean ten more minutes of recess.
Negotiation Process
The vote came about a year after bargaining began. Negotiations started with cordiality and optimism, but grew contentious amid a bruising battle between the union and district that helped lead to the firing of Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez. But those tensions were set aside on Thursday.
Reaction from the Union
In public comments to the board, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates noted that reaching an agreement did not require a strike vote or a strike, as it did in 2012, 2016, and 2019. “That is a significant development,” she said. Davis Gates said the contract will require a partnership between the union and district leaders to implement it well.
Budget Implications
The school board also approved an amendment to this school year’s budget, adding $139 million in surplus development funds it received from the city, which officials said would help pay for the teachers contract as well as a future contract with the principals union. Those funds come from the city’s Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, districts, which are meant to spur development. As expected, the amendment does not mention using the money to pay the city back for a highly debated pension payment for non-teaching staff.
Funding Concerns
Though the first year of the contract, which is retroactive to last July, is paid for, there are questions about whether the district has the funding to pay for the remaining years through June 2028. Davis Gates said the district must work to find a solution to any budget constraints, including advocating for more state funding.
Future Plans
District officials are expecting a deficit of roughly $500 million next school year. District leaders have said they plan to advocate for additional funding, and several school board members plan to travel to Springfield soon. After a presentation about teacher recruitment and hiring, board Vice President Olga Bautista asked how the district’s financial situation could impact staffing levels and recruitment efforts. Ben Felton, chief of talent for CPS, and Martinez said district leaders are trying to advocate for more state funding. But Martinez, who said he’s not optimistic the state will come through, has also pushed for more surplus funding from TIF districts. “It comes down to additional revenue for the school district to be able to sustain it or having to consider painful choices and painful cuts,” Felton said.
Conclusion
The new contract between the Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago Board of Education marks a significant development in the relationship between the two entities. While there are still concerns about funding, the contract includes important provisions that will benefit educators and students. The district must now work to find a solution to its budget constraints and advocate for more state funding to ensure the success of the contract.
FAQs
Q: How many educators and support staff will the new contract cover?
A: The new contract will cover roughly 30,000 educators and support staff.
Q: What are some of the key provisions of the contract?
A: The contract includes class size limits, requirements to hire hundreds of new staff, including more teacher assistants, and ten additional minutes of preparation time for elementary school teachers.
Q: How will the contract be funded?
A: The contract is expected to cost a total of $1.4 billion, with the first year paid for and questions about funding for the remaining years.
Q: What are the district’s plans for addressing budget constraints?
A: District leaders plan to advocate for additional funding and consider using surplus funding from TIF districts.
