Chicago schools budget banks on state funds

The decision arrives less than a month after Chicago Public Schools announced it would push start times at the three schools to 9 a.m.as part of a bigger effort to save the school system $13.5 million in transportation costs. Already, officials had previewed cuts, including laying off non-teaching staff.

“As in the past, CPS will offer affected teachers the opportunity to reapply for positions within CPS”, said a Chicago Public Schools statement.

House Speaker Michael Madigan added $585 million in state general revenue to the measure that would distribute more than $5 billion in federal funds despite a state budget impasse. Chicago’s schools have repeatedly had to shed jobs the last few years as they descend further and further into a pension-induced budget crisis.

“We consider the suitable reply is to empower: The individuals of Chicago, the voters of Chicago, the mayor of Chicago, the varsity board of the Chicago Public Faculties must be enabled to determine what will get collectively bargained and what doesn’t in order that they don’t find yourself with the instructor’s union having dictatorial powers, in impact and inflicting the monetary duress that Chicago public faculties are dealing with proper now”.

The teachers and employees got their notices on Monday, it was reported. “Chicago has given and given and given”.

Rauner restated his perception that modifications in collective bargaining must be statewide, and never only for Chicago, if there’s an try and alleviate CPS’ money crunch for the approaching faculty yr.

Rauner and Democratic legislators have been unable to agree on a budget for the fiscal year that started July 1.

CPS leaders, meanwhile, have proposed reducing their budget gap by making teachers finance their own pension contributions.

Teachers, led by CTU president Karen Lewis, have blasted this proposal as a massive pay cut and on Monday warned they would likely strike if the city tried to implement it.

Asked if she would call for a strike if CPS insists on the cut, Lewis said on Monday, “I think our members would do that for themselves”.