CPS holds first of five public budget meetings amid layoffs

First CPS budget feedback session held amid layoffs

Chicago Public Schools hosted the first of five public meetings Monday to gather input on next year?s budget, amid efforts to close a $700 million deficit.

CHICAGO - As the Chicago Public Schools’ Board of Education prepares to balance the budget next month, officials are holding a series of community feedback sessions. 

It comes as CPS faces a ballooning deficit and works to close a $734 million gap. 

The first of five public meetings was held Monday on the city’s South Side, as concerns over recent layoffs loomed.

What we know:

With the school year starting in less than six weeks, parents and teachers packed the auditorium at Dyett High School for the Arts in Washington Park on Monday to weigh in on potential budget cuts. 

"We want to know what priorities parents have, what concerns they have, what questions," said CPS Interim CEO/Superintendent Macquline King. 

During the community engagement session, parents and teachers heard a presentation from CPS' Chief Budget Officer Michael Sitkowski, who shared: "CPS' five-year forecast shows that, without new revenues or expense reductions, deficits in FY2027 and beyond will continue to grow."

With no changes, the budget shortfall is projected to be $1.3 billion, according to the presentation.

King hopes to avoid that. 

"We're going to have to make some really hard decisions," King said. "There will have to be a menu of solutions that we'll have to employ to balance the budget, however, whatever that menu of solutions will be, will have to be one that protects the cuts from the classroom."

The meeting comes just days after CPS announced nearly 1,500 layoffs, including more than 400 teachers, 300 paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRP), 33 security officers and nearly 700 special education classroom assistants, or SECAs.

A CPS spokesperson said "staffing adjustments" occur annually and added that about 80% of those affected are expected to find other positions within the district. Layoffs this year increased by about 3% from the previous year.

What they're saying:

Following a presentation during Monday's meeting, parents and teachers participated in round-table discussions.

Lena Mitchell is a parent of two boys and shared that it's important to her that Special Education resources remain a priority, along with Advanced Placement (AP) classes.

"And also get more funding for those programs (AP classes) so other students can have opportunities because they're not offered at all high schools across the city," Mitchell said. 

Mitchell also said she plans to attend more sessions and encourages other parents to do the same.

"I feel like there's a disconnect between the students, the parents, the staff, and the teachers, as well as the community," she said. "When we are all working together, things can happen better and faster."

In regard to the upcoming budget hearings, the Chicago Teachers Union shared last week:

"Pedro Martinez misled the public about the funds available for students and educators this coming year. Now we’re seeing proposed cuts to special education, to bilingual education, layoffs and more. CPS needs to partner with CTU to win more revenue from the state."

In another statement issued on Monday, a spokesperson for CTU shared, in part:

"The district – which continues to deal with the consequences of previous CPS CEOs’ and unaccountable rubber stamp Board of Educations’ DOGE approach of privatization, cuts, and closures to public education – will hear the progress educators have made due to advances made in past contracts, the promise of the coming school year under the recently ratified contract, and the need to prevent backsliding likely to occur because of Governor Pritzker not passing a budget that meets the state’s funding obligations or not addressing the Trump cuts to education."

What's next:

Four additional community feedback sessions are planned: 

• Tuesday, July 15 at 5:30 p.m.—Westinghouse High School, 3223 W Franklin Blvd, Chicago, IL 60624
• Thursday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m.—Roosevelt High School, 3436 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
• Saturday, July 19 at 10 a.m.—Back of the Yards High School, 2111 W 47th St, Chicago, IL 60609
• Monday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m.—virtual hearing

Community members can register to attend online.

Following those sessions, the budget will be finalized and presented to the Board of Education for approval on Aug. 28.