New CPS CEO says bell time changes are necessary

CHICAGO (WLS) -- New Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool says changing the start and dismissal times of 82 schools is necessary to keep budget cuts out of the classroom.

Bell times are changing at dozens of Chicago high schools and elementary schools throughout the city. CPS will also be shifting bus route times. Officials say this will save the district more than $13 million in the 2015-2016 school year.

Click here for the full list of affected schools and changed times

CPS parents are taking note of the changes. Working parents are particularly concerned that the shift in bus routes and bell times could affect commutes and schedules for adults and children alike.

"What the kids' education?" asked CPS parent Michael Griswold. "What about the parents? It's going to save CPS some money, but what about the parents. It's going to cost them time and money if they're late to work."

CPS Parent and substitute teacher Caress McIntyre adjusted to bell time changes implemented for the 2014-2015 school year, and saw the struggle from both parent and teacher perspectives.

"That affected me, because if I'm not out of work until after 4 o'clock, some schools they end at 2:45 so I have to find other people to pick up my kids," McIntryre said.

CPS CEO Forrest Claypool said he realizes this cost saving effort is going to hit parents hard.

"We don't want to do it," Claypool said during the taping of ABC7's Newsviews program Friday afternoon. "We know its inconveniencing parents and children in many instances, but it's avoiding taking money out of the classroom."

Claypool believes, long term, this actually might save jobs.

"If we didn't make these changes and we didn't adjust these bell times so we can have an efficient bussing and transportation system it would mean laying off hundreds of additional teachers we don't want to do that," he said.

The full interview with CPS CEO Forrest Claypool airs during Newsviews on Sunday at the end of the 9 a.m. news hour.