Introduction to CPS Building Maintenance Budget
With more than $3 billion in critical maintenance work needed at Chicago Public Schools buildings but limited money to work with, district leaders presented a modest proposal for building repairs. They prioritized roof and boiler replacements, asbestos removal and upgrades to internet infrastructure.
CPS Capital Budget Overview
The CPS capital budget, which funds construction and building maintenance projects for this school year, is about 9% smaller than last year at $556 million, down from $611 million. Nearly all of it is paid for through borrowing, while there’s some help from the city through tax increment financing, or TIF, dollars and state funding.
Challenges in Funding
CPS is the only district in Illinois that has no way to raise new revenue for building construction or maintenance, so taking on new debt year after year becomes necessary to fund most projects.
Prioritization of Critical Facility Needs
The district said it would prioritize “critical facility needs” and improvements to school interiors with $369 million in the new capital plan. That includes major roof and exterior projects at 21 schools. CPS is also setting aside $80 million for unanticipated or emergency repairs.
Extent of Critical Needs
Those funds will only cover a portion of what CPS has identified as more than $3.2 billion worth of “immediate” critical needs at its aging facilities districtwide — typically, repairs required for a building to function safely and properly. The school system’s 522 campuses are an average of 85-plus years old. The district said it recently assessed its facilities and expects to identify additional critical needs.
Statement from CPS Chief Facilities Officer
“The cost to repair CPS buildings has far exceeded what CPS has historically been able to afford,” said Ivan Hansen, CPS chief facilities officer.
Specific Allocation of Funds
Funds for repairs and improvements include $9.9 million to increase Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility at 14 schools, part of a multi-year program to ensure all CPS buildings have first-floor access. Another $12.7 million is dedicated to designing and building new playgrounds, playlots and schoolyards across the city. Many concrete playgrounds have dangerous potholes.
Space to Grow Program
Some of those upgrades are part of the Space to Grow program, which installs new playground equipment and replaces asphalt with green spaces that can also help control flood waters. Thirty-six elementary schools have received upgrades as part of the program and five more are scheduled to open in the fall, CPS said.
IT Infrastructure Upgrades
The next largest chunk of funds is set aside for improvements to the district’s information technology infrastructure.
Details of IT Upgrades
CPS is allocating $113 million to upgrade its network. Officials said technology is increasingly playing an important role in the classroom. That’s more than double the $54 million it set aside for IT projects in last year’s capital budget.
Purpose of IT Upgrades
CPS said the funds would help improve cybersecurity, upgrade data storage and improve network reliability and internet speed at schools by replacing aging hardware.
Addressing Community Needs
District leaders said the proposed budget addresses prioritizing projects in communities with the most needs. The vast majority of funding goes to projects at schools that serve majority low-income student populations and Black and Latino students.
Overall Budget Proposal
The capital plan is part of an overall $10.25 billion proposed budget set to be presented to the Board of Education for approval at its monthly meeting Aug. 28.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Chicago Public Schools’ building maintenance budget prioritizes critical repairs and IT upgrades, aiming to address the significant backlog of maintenance needs across its aging facilities. While the budget is modest and largely funded through borrowing, it represents a crucial step towards ensuring safer, more accessible, and technologically equipped learning environments for CPS students.
FAQs
Q: What is the total amount allocated for the CPS capital budget this year?
A: The CPS capital budget for this school year is about $556 million.
Q: What are the primary areas of focus for the CPS building maintenance budget?
A: The primary areas of focus include roof and boiler replacements, asbestos removal, upgrades to internet infrastructure, and improvements to school interiors.
Q: How much is allocated for IT infrastructure upgrades?
A: CPS is allocating $113 million to upgrade its network, which is more than double the amount allocated for IT projects in the last year’s capital budget.
Q: What is the Space to Grow program, and how many schools have benefited from it?
A: The Space to Grow program installs new playground equipment and replaces asphalt with green spaces. Thirty-six elementary schools have received upgrades as part of the program, with five more scheduled to open in the fall.
Q: When will the proposed budget be presented to the Board of Education for approval?
A: The proposed budget is set to be presented to the Board of Education for approval at its monthly meeting on Aug. 28.
