No More Mr. Nice Guy From CPS Budget Office Full summary:
"CPS starts the budget season by predicting the number of kids who will enroll in each school in the coming year. Most principals dispute these predictions; after all, a forecast for fewer kids means the school will have to cut staff at the start of the new fiscal year in July.
The problem is the district’s enrollment projections are often wrong—off by 10% or more in a fifth of schools this year. Schools that ended up with more kids than CPS thought they’d get had to make late hires in September. Schools that ended up with fewer kids—a more common occurrence—essentially lucked out. The budget office has traditionally held schools harmless for enrolling fewer kids than expected, letting them keep extra teachers that the budget staffing formulas do not allow.
"But that’s changing. CEO Arne Duncan has told principals to expect by-the-book cuts if September enrollment comes up short. That puts extra pressure on schools to attract enough kids or they’ll have to ax teachers in October; a problem that will surely hit neighborhood schools hardest, as many are struggling to keep enrollment up in the face of gentrification and extra competition from charters.
"The district could improve the process by switching to a more centralized, transparent way of assigning kids to schools—much like they do in New York and Boston. Currently, CPS lets schools themselves largely manage the process of picking and registering new students. The process lasts through the summer and, especially for neighborhood schools, into September, as some kids trickle in to “dumping ground” schools only after they’ve exhausted efforts to get into better schools. All the guesswork keeps hiring and school programming decisions up in the air for far too long."
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Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 6:23 PM
No More Mr. Nice Guy From CPS Budget Office
John Myers needs to edit or check sources--CPS cut postitions last year at many schools, when enrollments did not meet projections. Many schools had to redo their schedule. A few elementary schools were on their 3 rd schedule by Novemebr due to CPS cuts last year. Many schools had higher enrollments, and principals told budget this--students waited for months for teachers, like at Gage HS.
He is off on te formula in his story--elementary schools need to have 31 students in the formula from 4-8th grades, but 28 in the primary grades. This 31 number really hurts the schools 'cause where are they to get 31 more students in the tougher grades? (Adding 3 student per each grade from where?) So postions get cut as principals are forced to over crowd primary classrooms with more students.
This hurts programs badly. Then, if you are missing just 1 student in a bilingual program--yes, just 1 student, you whole bilingual program is closed. Then charters are stealing students and killing the neighborhood schools even more, even though the neighborhood school now has more needy students. yes, charters select and they throw out students who do not 'fit.'
Also, mistake for John in this article is that high schools keep 2 teachers and Elems keep 1--he had it reversed. High school need 28 student per class--the 5 students per teacher sounds real nice, but not real. So why do we put so much on the middle grades when we want improvment there and why do we force primary to have to take more students.? Come on John--who were your sources. Did you listen to you intern, or did the intern get this wrong. catalyst MUST get these stories straight--Big business read you--so the story has to be the truth and accurate...Thanks...
He is off on te formula in his story--elementary schools need to have 31 students in the formula from 4-8th grades, but 28 in the primary grades. This 31 number really hurts the schools 'cause where are they to get 31 more students in the tougher grades? (Adding 3 student per each grade from where?) So postions get cut as principals are forced to over crowd primary classrooms with more students.
This hurts programs badly. Then, if you are missing just 1 student in a bilingual program--yes, just 1 student, you whole bilingual program is closed. Then charters are stealing students and killing the neighborhood schools even more, even though the neighborhood school now has more needy students. yes, charters select and they throw out students who do not 'fit.'
Also, mistake for John in this article is that high schools keep 2 teachers and Elems keep 1--he had it reversed. High school need 28 student per class--the 5 students per teacher sounds real nice, but not real. So why do we put so much on the middle grades when we want improvment there and why do we force primary to have to take more students.? Come on John--who were your sources. Did you listen to you intern, or did the intern get this wrong. catalyst MUST get these stories straight--Big business read you--so the story has to be the truth and accurate...Thanks...
Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 3:51 AM
No More Mr. Nice Guy From CPS Budget Office
What makes you think Catalyst cares about the facts? They're in the business of corporate "school reform" propaganda. Where do you think their funding comes from, the Easter Bunny?
Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 8:05 AM
No More Mr. Nice Guy From CPS Budget Office
I thought our contract does not allow for disruptions of classrooms due to shifting of personnel after the first day of school. Isn't this something the union fought for and won in order to give children intructional stability? I remember 300 children being moved into different classrooms at the end of October for many years in tthe 1980's and early 1990's. It caused total havoc and our students and parents were very upset.
Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 9:20 AM
No More Mr. Nice Guy From CPS Budget Office
George,
Do you think everything is great the way it is now? Why are you so against reform? Something must be done, don't you think?
What do you suggest?
Do you think everything is great the way it is now? Why are you so against reform? Something must be done, don't you think?
What do you suggest?
Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Regarding: Story is a bit off
First, I would like to thank everyone who made comments regarding my story. I understand the gravity of the issues and appreciate thoughtful ideas.
But I want to clarify a few things.
First, according to a copy of the memo that Mr. Duncan sent to principals on Feb. 26, neighborhood high schools that enroll fewer students than they were projected to enroll will get to keep one extra teacher; neighborhood elementary schools will get to keep two.
Hopefully, schools are not getting mixed messages.
Also, the commenter is correct that the staffing formulas assign one teacher for every 31 students in grades 4th through 8th. (It’s 28 students in grades 1st through 3rd and 56 for kindergarten.)
The graphics in my story reflect this complication. However, to keep an incredibly complicated story from becoming exceedingly difficult to read, I chose to generalize this point in the main story. I wrote: “In general, the formulas give schools one elementary teacher for every 28 students and one high school teacher for every five fully-enrolled classes."
The commenter makes a very good point, however, that the formula switch from 28 students in primary grades to 31 in upper grades is a hardship for schools.
Finally, in the blurb I sent to Alexander, I admittedly glossed over the description of how schools have been impacted by budget cuts when enrollment comes up short of enrollment projections. The story, however, is clearer.
This is a touchy area and seems to be handled on a case-by-case basis in the budget office. However, a budget officer who talked to me on background told me that CPS has traditionally held harmless schools that come up short, though this has been changing in the last couple of years.
Essentially, the point I tried to convey in the story comes from Chris Warden, a longtime budget watchdog, who explained to me that the district has been slowly squeezing tighter and tighter on the formulas. The memo to principals suggests a super tight grip for next year.
Thanks for the interest.
But I want to clarify a few things.
First, according to a copy of the memo that Mr. Duncan sent to principals on Feb. 26, neighborhood high schools that enroll fewer students than they were projected to enroll will get to keep one extra teacher; neighborhood elementary schools will get to keep two.
Hopefully, schools are not getting mixed messages.
Also, the commenter is correct that the staffing formulas assign one teacher for every 31 students in grades 4th through 8th. (It’s 28 students in grades 1st through 3rd and 56 for kindergarten.)
The graphics in my story reflect this complication. However, to keep an incredibly complicated story from becoming exceedingly difficult to read, I chose to generalize this point in the main story. I wrote: “In general, the formulas give schools one elementary teacher for every 28 students and one high school teacher for every five fully-enrolled classes."
The commenter makes a very good point, however, that the formula switch from 28 students in primary grades to 31 in upper grades is a hardship for schools.
Finally, in the blurb I sent to Alexander, I admittedly glossed over the description of how schools have been impacted by budget cuts when enrollment comes up short of enrollment projections. The story, however, is clearer.
This is a touchy area and seems to be handled on a case-by-case basis in the budget office. However, a budget officer who talked to me on background told me that CPS has traditionally held harmless schools that come up short, though this has been changing in the last couple of years.
Essentially, the point I tried to convey in the story comes from Chris Warden, a longtime budget watchdog, who explained to me that the district has been slowly squeezing tighter and tighter on the formulas. The memo to principals suggests a super tight grip for next year.
Thanks for the interest.
Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 10:53 AM
No More Mr. Nice Guy From CPS Budget Office
"...This is a touchy area and seems to be handled on a case-by-case basis in the budget office. However, a budget officer who talked to me on background told me that CPS has traditionally held harmless schools that come up short, though this has been changing in the last couple of years..."
"Case by case" means cooking the books.
In this case, the key question was how many high schools were actually forced to make cuts in October 2007, since that's the only date for which recent data are available. And everyone here knows, or should know, that answer: general high schools, led by Julian and CVS. There were protests at three of them (Wells, Julian, then Schurz), but CPS ignored the protests -- and the disruption -- and went ahead with the cuts anyway.
Anyone who has followed Mr. Duncan's career in mendacity knows that a "memo" from Arne is as good as his word. Zero. He has made more cuts this semester, and he will do so until every person covering these stories points out the obvious: general high schools (and certain targeted elementary schools) are being sabotaged by Arne Duncan and his staff.
How much was "saved" by sabotaging Julian and the other high schools in October? Dollars anyone? And a comparison: The number of dollars "saved" by sabotaging Julian, Wells, Schurz and the other high schools cut is October 2007 is fewer than the number of dollars Arne has added to the administration since July 1, 2007...
Think: "Office of Turnaround"; all those new cuties in the various downtown offices from Law to Arne's own spaces on the Fifth Floor. Plus outside lawyers. The amount Duncan recommended for Dykema Gossett and Franczek Sullivan since January 1, 2008, would have paid for all the teachers that were cut from Julian.
And just take this one delightful recent example from "New Schools."
"Transfer and Appoint Senior Manager, Office of New and Charter Schools" (Board Report 08-0227-EX41). Cost to create a "Senior Manager" there: $120,000 a year.
Oh, I forgot, Arne also issued a memo -- and hosted a media event -- saying that he was cutting administration to the bone, to the bone do you hear! And most of the Lois Lanes and Clark Kents of this town didn't even ask a question because, after all, there is always a "back channel" to keep the kittens purring.
Recent
"Case by case" means cooking the books.
In this case, the key question was how many high schools were actually forced to make cuts in October 2007, since that's the only date for which recent data are available. And everyone here knows, or should know, that answer: general high schools, led by Julian and CVS. There were protests at three of them (Wells, Julian, then Schurz), but CPS ignored the protests -- and the disruption -- and went ahead with the cuts anyway.
Anyone who has followed Mr. Duncan's career in mendacity knows that a "memo" from Arne is as good as his word. Zero. He has made more cuts this semester, and he will do so until every person covering these stories points out the obvious: general high schools (and certain targeted elementary schools) are being sabotaged by Arne Duncan and his staff.
How much was "saved" by sabotaging Julian and the other high schools in October? Dollars anyone? And a comparison: The number of dollars "saved" by sabotaging Julian, Wells, Schurz and the other high schools cut is October 2007 is fewer than the number of dollars Arne has added to the administration since July 1, 2007...
Think: "Office of Turnaround"; all those new cuties in the various downtown offices from Law to Arne's own spaces on the Fifth Floor. Plus outside lawyers. The amount Duncan recommended for Dykema Gossett and Franczek Sullivan since January 1, 2008, would have paid for all the teachers that were cut from Julian.
And just take this one delightful recent example from "New Schools."
"Transfer and Appoint Senior Manager, Office of New and Charter Schools" (Board Report 08-0227-EX41). Cost to create a "Senior Manager" there: $120,000 a year.
Oh, I forgot, Arne also issued a memo -- and hosted a media event -- saying that he was cutting administration to the bone, to the bone do you hear! And most of the Lois Lanes and Clark Kents of this town didn't even ask a question because, after all, there is always a "back channel" to keep the kittens purring.
Recent
Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 10:58 AM
No More Mr. Nice Guy From CPS Budget Office
As far as I have experienced in four years in the system the union has done nothing in regards to the changing of schedules of students.
My rosters are still changing now.
If anyone wants (due to privacy laws) I can show you my rosters and that they have changed every week since the first day of school.
Send email
Oh, I know I did not file a grievance. Sorry my fault.
But I do remember on a number of occasions in the house meetings this issue has been raised in regards to programming and impact.
is my memory correct?
My rosters are still changing now.
If anyone wants (due to privacy laws) I can show you my rosters and that they have changed every week since the first day of school.
Send email
Oh, I know I did not file a grievance. Sorry my fault.
But I do remember on a number of occasions in the house meetings this issue has been raised in regards to programming and impact.
is my memory correct?
Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 7:32 AM
No More Mr. Nice Guy From CPS Budget Office
According to Article 3 of the contract, a grievance is a deviation from a standard policy or practice or the board...
You can write and file a grievance on program changes, then let the Board argue that it is their "standard policy and practice" in general high schools to make program changes throughout the semester (and thereby further sabotage the school).
Every teacher in every general high school should do this.
Every time this stuff is documented, it helps, even if it seems, at first, like "nobody" is paying attention.
One other thing. Despite the sellout nature of the contract, individual teachers and union delegates are still empowered to file their own grievances at the local school level. Since most teachers (and delegates) are more literate than the $140,000 per year patronage people Marilyn Stewart has in the grievance department at her Mart Suites, people can write up their grievances, then file them and demand that the union help.
If, as is UPC custom, the UPC send in its field rep to help the principal, document that, too. Eventually, it's called (even with the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board stacked in favor of Marilyn Stewart) "failure to represent."
And if your principal is not an idiot (something that's still possible, but getting more rare by the day given all the FNG shake and bake data driven assholes taking over schools thanks to Arne Duncan and all those shake and bake programs), the principal can utilize the grievance to document why the school deserves to be stabilized, instead of destabilized.
You can write and file a grievance on program changes, then let the Board argue that it is their "standard policy and practice" in general high schools to make program changes throughout the semester (and thereby further sabotage the school).
Every teacher in every general high school should do this.
Every time this stuff is documented, it helps, even if it seems, at first, like "nobody" is paying attention.
One other thing. Despite the sellout nature of the contract, individual teachers and union delegates are still empowered to file their own grievances at the local school level. Since most teachers (and delegates) are more literate than the $140,000 per year patronage people Marilyn Stewart has in the grievance department at her Mart Suites, people can write up their grievances, then file them and demand that the union help.
If, as is UPC custom, the UPC send in its field rep to help the principal, document that, too. Eventually, it's called (even with the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board stacked in favor of Marilyn Stewart) "failure to represent."
And if your principal is not an idiot (something that's still possible, but getting more rare by the day given all the FNG shake and bake data driven assholes taking over schools thanks to Arne Duncan and all those shake and bake programs), the principal can utilize the grievance to document why the school deserves to be stabilized, instead of destabilized.
