(The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson has refused to accept budget savings proposed by Chicago Public Schools administrators.
CPS proposed a budget of $9.9 billion for 2025, with $149 million in new spending over 2024. The budget includes administrative staffing reductions to cover a $500 million deficit. Johnson rejected the proposed cuts.
“I’m not going to accept cuts. I’m not. That’s not what the people of Chicago elected me to do,” Johnson said.
Illinois Policy Institute Policy Analyst Hannah Schmid said spending on Chicago Public Schools is up 97% since 2012.
“Amidst that, we’re seeing this decrease in proficiency. Also during that time, despite increased spending, we’re seeing fewer and fewer students enrolling in the public schools,” Schmid said.
According to the Illinois State Board of Education, reading proficiency scores for CPS students have dropped 63% since 2012. Math scores have dropped 78%.
Chicago Public Schools leadership is dealing with the academic and budget deficits during a time of contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union.
CPS CEO Pedro Martinez has painted a bright picture in weekly emails during the school year, touting the success of students, teachers and staff.
Illinois Policy Institute policy analyst Hannah Schmid said CPS test scores remain low, despite a slight uptick since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There may be growth, but it’s not significant enough to be celebrating. Obviously, [there’s] a lot of ways to go when a majority of students are still not meeting grade-level standards,” Schmid said.
Schmid said the teachers union is demanding more workers for fewer students.
“There’s about 5,500 more staff employed in CPS over the last four years despite dwindling enrollment, so a lot of things that don’t quite add up. It shows inefficiencies within the system,” Schmid said.
Schmid said Douglass Academy is an example of the inefficiency in how CPS money is being used. The West Side high school has about 22 full-time staff members for 35 students.