As a result of last month’s compromise in Springfield, CPS management efficiencies and participation from Chicago taxpayers, CPS is able to provide principals at all District-run schools today with School Year 2016-17 budgets that ensure classrooms have the resources to build on the tremendous academic gains of recent years, and do not introduce new per-pupil funding cuts. “Just a few weeks ago, CPS faced the real prospect of unavoidable, devastating cuts. Thankfully, those cuts are off the table,” said CPS CEO Forrest Claypool. “We will continue to tighten our belts, but thanks to the collaborative efforts of State leaders and Chicagoans that significantly reduced the District’s budget deficit, our schools will open this fall with the resources to continue their remarkable academic progress.”

All CPS principals received budgets today that provide a Student Based Budgeting (SBB) funding rate of $4,087. This SBB rate reflects the annualized reductions executed in February. “The past school year provided unique challenges to our school community, but today’s budgets should provide relief and stability to our families and educators looking to the year ahead,” said CPS Chief Education Officer Dr. Janice K. Jackson. To further reduce the deficit without introducing new per-pupil reductions to schools, CPS will undertake additional management efficiencies that resulted from numerous strategy sessions with principals. These initiatives include an expansion of the CPS School Support Center to centralize certain responsibilities, and remove some financial and accounting administrative burdens; assistance to match schools seeking to employ half-time Art, PE, and Music teachers, as well as counselors; training for school staff on efficient scheduling models that will drive consistency and transparency across all District schools; and new centralized, more uniform procurement processes that leverage the District’s purchasing power to reduce costs. Additional management reforms and efficiencies are part of the FY 17 budget deficit.