Yesterday the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education unanimously passed a $5.7 billion budget. That's right...a 7-0 vote. Don't let that fool you. Major cuts are hitting Special Education, the district is in debt and the budget passed is banking on $480 million from the state event though the General Assembly hasn't committed to taking this on.
As if to underscore the dilemma, Ginger Ostro, the CFO for the district, when on record saying "We know this is not the budget we want to be presenting to you, but it does reflect the reality of where we are." Ouch, that surely is an ominous warning to say the least. Mind you, this comes from the boards' very own CFO!
I really don't see this moving in a positive direction. I see more cuts coming, more children and their families (if they can afford it) fleeing to charters and private schools and an economic diaspora which leaves the most economically vulnerable behind in the years to come.
Urban education, not just in Chicago, is in for some tough years going forward. Sadly!
Dick
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