finance and budgets | catalyst-chicago.org

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School closings

As CPS prepares to close a record number of schools, the fate of students and communities is in question.

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finance and budgets

Principals get budgets, but uncertainty remains April 27, 2012 By: Sarah Karp Chicago Public Schools leaders on Friday again touted that principals had more money to spend as they please. But, even as they handed high school principals their budgets, they declined to provide complete information about programs that are being closed out in order to provide the additional cash. Read More \| (4) Comments	CPS plans to shift cash, give principals spending power April 25, 2012 By: Sarah Karp Over the next few days, principals will be given their school budgets and will find that they have more decision-making power and more money to spend on instruction. But there’s a catch: Their budgets may include less money for other expenses. Read More \| (11) Comments
Will recession hinder long-term gains? April 15, 2012 By: Andrew Bronstein For the casual visitor, it’s easy to miss that Southeast High School in rural Kansas—once among the lowest academic performers in the state—is in the midst of a profound transformation. Like so many other Kansas schools, the building in Cherokee (population: 722) shows the telltale signs of a suffering economy. Bus routes have been cut, as have supplies. Custodians, secretaries and cafeteria workers took an eight-day pay cut. During the harsh winters, students bundle up to make it through classes where the temperature hovers at an uncomfortable, but cost-saving 68 degrees. Read More \| (0) Comments	Lawmakers question CPS on budget April 12, 2012 By: Rebecca Harris CEO Jean-Claude Brizard and Budget Director Ginger Ostro detailed the district’s budget woes before an Illinois General Assembly committee today at a hearing on the Illinois State Board of Education budget. Read More \| (3) Comments
State funding for Chicago schools on lawmaker's agenda April 10, 2012 By: Jim Broadway and Pam Monetti SPRINGFIELD - The House Elementary and Secondary Education-Appropriations Committee meets Thursday in Chicago to take testimony on programs funded through the Illinois State Board of Education budget. This committee will have a great deal to say about FY 2013 funding for programs that include After School Matters, started by the late Maggie Daley, and programs for dropouts and homeless students. Read More \| (0) Comments	Emanuel backtracks on longer school day April 10, 2012 By: Sarah Karp and Rebecca Harris Under pressure from parents who oppose a 7.5 hour school day, Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced that 7 hours would be enough for elementary school students. “No longer will we have to make false choices,” he said. “Teachers will not have to pick between science and social studies, math versus music, reading versus recess.” High school students will have the 7.5 hour day four days a week, but will be released 75 minutes early once a week. Read More \| (15) Comments
In the News: CPS budget comes up short for a 3rd year March 29, 2012 By: Cassandra West The Chicago School board took several actions Wednesday during its monthly meeting, including agreeing to settle a CTU lawsuit over longer day compensation, announcing the resignation of Food Service Director Louise Esaian, limiting the contract of two charter operators, expanding report card pickup to better accommodate parents who work. Read More \| (7) Comments	Parents seek money for longer day while CPS looks to budget cuts March 28, 2012 By: Rebecca Harris and Sarah Karp A day after announcing a looming deficit of $600 to $700 million – not counting any employee raises or the costs of a longer school day -- Chicago school officials offered few ideas for balancing the books for the next school year. Critics of the longer school day seized on the opportunity to argue at Wednesday’s board meeting that schools need more money in order to see any benefits from more time. Among them were parents from Prieto Elementary, who said their school lacks the resources to make a longer day productive. Read More \| (4) Comments
Capital projects on school board’s agenda January 24, 2012 By: Rebecca Harris At Wednesday’s meeting, the Chicago Board of Education will likely approve a number of remodeling, painting and construction projects, with much of the money spent at turnaround schools and for career education programs. More than $14 million will be spent on “Pathways Program” construction for career programs at Lindblom, Richards, Roosevelt, Schurz, Sullivan, and Simeon high schools, as well as other unspecified schools. Read More \| (1) Comments