CPS raises concerns about financing and school opening after education board approves amended budget

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Public Schools is warning that a budget approved by the Chicago Board of Education could jeopardize the district's ability to secure short-term financing needed to meet payroll and prepare for the start of the school year.

In a vote of 11-7, the board rejected CPS' proposed budget and instead approved an amendment that eliminates a planned midyear spending freeze and reverses teacher layoffs that had been under consideration. The budget approved by the board relies on an additional $150 million in state funding that has not been allocated.

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The vote has prompted concerns that the budget may not be balanced and could potentially violate state law.

"Our borrowing of money is going to cost us more money, which means that it's less money that will be directed to the classroom," School Board Member Angel Gutierrez said.

Supporters of the amended budget pointed to the state's role in funding education.

"The state is constitutionally mandated to be the primary provider of education," School Board Member Debby Pope said. "In Chicago, we are receiving less state funding percentage-wise than we were receiving a couple of years ago."

The board's vote came a day after Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch told the Chicago Teachers Union he would support efforts to secure additional funding for CPS.

"I will lead that effort in veto session. We have two weeks in November when we can get it done and you have my support 110%," Welch said.

Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson criticized the board's action, questioning whether state lawmakers could secure the three-fifths vote required in both chambers to pass such funding.

"The law is, you can't do something for one school district unless you do it for all school districts across the state," Ferguson said. "That $100 million is more like $400 to $500 million when you apply it across the state."

Gov. JB Pritzker said he has not yet seen a plan from Welch.

"We're not yet where we need to be. I want to do more. At the same time I'm a big believer, and I think you've seen this, balanced budgets. You have to balance the budget," Pritzker said.

CPS officials said the budget's reliance on funding that has not been approved could make it more difficult and costly for the district to obtain financing needed at the start of the school year.

In a statement, CPS said, "Simply put: We cannot guarantee CPS will receive financing in time for the September 4 payroll. Failing to meet payroll is unacceptable. This places the District at significant risk of being in violation of the law and collective bargaining agreements."

While Welch and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon have publicly expressed support for providing additional funding to CPS, neither has yet outlined how much funding would be sought or how it would be paid for.