Kids Will Have Less

Yesterday's gathering in Springfield, with people from all parts of Illinois, was one that essentially called on the states leaders to do something now in terms of short-term and long-term funding. Whether it's helping CPS or rural schools, the parents and school officials who made their way to the state capital had one voice and that is pass legislation NOW.

Perhaps few expressed their ideas any better than Douglass High School Principal Catherine Jones who said, "Our school is in dire distress. There are a whole lot of things our kids don't have now, and if we don't pass the bill (the Senate version), we'll lose more." That's it in a nutshell...the kids will lose.

The upshot from the gathering in Springfield? That's anyone's guess. The clock is ticking on the end of the Spring Legislative session and something will have to happen in the next couple of days or the kids will have even less.

Dick

Heading to Springfield

CPS CEO Forrest Claypool is heading to Springfield today in search for mega dollars to repair the huge budget deficit facing the school district. Claypool has encouraged others to join him on the journey. Parents, administrators and others are certain to join Claypool. Of course the intent is to pressure legislators, of all persuasions, to help fix the financial mess.

The clock is running in terms of the end of the school year as well as the closing of the spring legislative session. Money is needed right now or individual schools will lose up to millions of dollars for the 2016-17 school year. This isn't a worst case scenario, a threat or warning. No, this is REAL.

Given the impasse that exists in Springfield, exclusive of CPS pressure, I'd be stunned if the cash strapped district got the type of help needed. Stay tuned.

Dick

More Woes

As if CPS neighborhood schools aren't suffering enough, now comes word that a good number of charter schools are going to feel the coming financial axe that seems very likely. Remember, charters are still public schools that receive their funding much like the traditional neighborhood schools. The big difference is that charters are privately run.

And that fact, private operation, is a bit of a problem. For example, some of the expenses encountered by a charter, not borne by neighborhood schools, are fixed and have to be paid. Such is the case with building leases that are set in stone and HAVE to be paid.

As Andrew Broy of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools said of the impending budget cuts, "Several dozen schools [charters] would be pushed over the brink. Mr. Broy did not give examples but they are bound to be the smaller ones and those with a single campus.

Whether one is a proponent of charters or not, the coming budget cuts are bound to hurt everyone. No one will be spared when they are talking per pupil budget cuts beyond 25%.

All of this is at a time when the availability and need for teacher and student resources is critical. Where this all ends is anyone's guess.

Dick

Upcoming Summer Sorrow

With the CPS school year soon coming to a close - though they go well into the month of June - I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn of some real significant changes impacting students and teachers going into next fall. What with no contract in sight and the state lingering over a budget crisis (complete with the need for a funding formula change) there is bound to be change in the classroom.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see fewer teachers, teachers moving from one school to another and larger class sizes. All of this would be on top of the multiple budget cuts of the past year. More of those cuts are in the works for the 2016-17 school year. This just makes for a lousy summer vacation for all.

I'm simply at a loss for what is currently taking place. Some days I think I have some salient ideas and points on solving problems only to find that those in charge of working to find solutions to the problems simply unable to want to work together in a cooperative fashion.

Dick

Seeking Help

Next week CPS CEO Forrest Claypool heads to Springfield to push lawmakers to change the school funding formula. He'll be joined by a number of parents and representatives from various impoverished schools. His plea for a deal to help CPS will be a tough sell to Governor Rauner.

The way things are going in Chicago, it's not just neighborhood schools suffering from the lack of a funding fix, nearly everyone is looking at drastic budget cuts for the coming school year.

One group will be absent on the journey to the state capital next week. CPS did not invite the teacher's union to join them and that is most unfortunate. Until all parties to a funding plan reach some sort of consensus, and act as one, then the chances of a deal seem all the more remote.

I'm not holding out much hope that all sides will get together.

Dick

I'm at Fault

The negative and discouraging stories about CPS and inner city schools are truly disheartening and sad. They also perpetuate a negative view of such schools. The result can be anything from 'what would you expect' to 'they aren't worth saving.' And the result is a further erosion in the trust of getting an education from these schools.

Count me as having written blogs about such a pessimistic outlook on inner city schools. I've done it to call attention to the many woes and obstacles to meaningful progress and I've tried to engage with the public to ask for help. I've tried to educate the public.

Of course, in the process of doing the above, I am also fueling the idea - to some readers - that the schools aren't suitable for the kids. That hasn't been my intention but I can understand that my calling attention to the many problems within urban education may actually do so in a way that discourages others.

So, I am at fault. Hopefully, the work of Schools Count Corp. can continue to mitigate to end some of the deep concerns and problems facing those who run and attend a good number of inner city schools.

Dick

What the Hell is Going On?!

I mean it...what the hell is going on?! One of the many schools we serve in Chicago has a pretty amazing principal (she shall remain nameless as will the school) who has long been admired by many in the community, students and parents alike. Mind you, this school is in a very challenging neighborhood in the city.

Last week she had to break up a fight at the school. She sustained injuries, along with being knocked unconscious, and was hospitalized for a number of days. She finally went home last Saturday but is unlikely to return to the school for the remainder of the year.

This senseless violence, and yes it is entirely senseless!!, has no place in any school for any reason. A principal, a staff member or student has to know there is a level of safety and sanity at ANY public school anywhere in the nation. People have to wake up and realize verbal insults and the use of violence has no place in our society.

I am saddened by this tragic news and you can be sure that our charity will continue to aid this principal and the children.

Dick

Summer School Woes

It should come as no shock that the CPS summer school program may be just a fraction of what it has looked like in past summers. Given the big pension payment that needs to be made this summer and the huge budget deficit, CPS has announced that it will scale back summer school in a dramatic fashion if the Illinois General Assembly doesn't come through with pension relief for the district.

This is just another blow to the children plain and simple. It seems as the though they are always in the crosshairs of financial problems. Last year the district ran summer school programs at a cost of slightly more than $16 million which is just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall spending in the school system.

As parents, not to mention their children and the teachers, watch all of this unfold, day by day, one can certainly sympathize with them if they looked elsewhere in terms of finding another option other than a CPS school.

Summer sorrow!!

Dick

Budget Woes Continue

As the school year draws to a close, the latest news regarding the budget deficit hit like a rock. CPS is prepping principals that they may see a 20% cut in their budgets to start the next school year. Remember, this blog ran a story a couple of months ago about one north side school that had three individual fund cuts this year.

And now starting the 2016-17 school year with a massive cut of 20% is just unthinkable let alone crippling. James Gray, head of Hamilton Elementary called such a cut "catastrophic." He went on to say, "parents at my school have told me they have begun looking at other options for their families - suburbs or private schools. He went on to tell the Sun Times that "I personally know six principals who are looking for employment outside of the district."

That, in a nutshell, says it all. Kids and principals, not to mention teachers, leaving the district.

That works just fine for CPS doesn't it? Now they have a reason to further shrink the size of the school district going forward. Sad news doesn't seem to be the proper description for what is unfolding.

Dick

Funding Fairness?

Senator Don Harmon of Oak Park has joined forces with downstate Senator Andy Manar to propose a sweeping change to the formula for the manner in which funds are provided to the schools in Illinois. At its core, the funding would help impoverished areas while reducing the funds that would go to wealthier areas.

For Harmon this means that the area he legislates would take a number of hits in a number of school districts while other districts would greatly benefit. For example, the Addison and Willowbrook schools would lose $3.5 million while Leyden would take a hit to the tune of $3 million. On the other hand, Elmwood Park is projected to gain an additional $2.5 million and the Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview districts would add $4.7 million to their coffers.

The measure passed the Illinois Senate 31-21 but faces a likely uphill climb in the House.

Yes, some people will be mighty happy while others are sure to be hot under the collar. At some point the funding formula had to change because the property values, demographics, and economy have undergone a real metamorphosis over recent years. To ignore all of these changes is to sweep the problem under the rug.

Kudos to Harmon and Manar!!

Dick

Right In Front of Your Eyes

I've written at length about many problems faced by CPS; financial woes, pension crisis, school closings and the uptick in charter and selective schools. In total, these, and many other neighborhood issues are crippling the system here in Chicago. And if you think these concerns are isolated to Chicago, well, that's simply not true.

A contentious debate is taking place in the Los Angeles Public School System over many of these same issues. The representatives of the neighborhood schools are claiming that the 221 charters, yes 221!!, are siphoning off funds that make it difficult for these traditional schools to adequately take care of their needs. Of course the organization that speaks on behalf of charters essentially make the argument that this is not true.

Let's put it this way (I'll do some more digging into this) the assault on public schools, from all sides, is rampant in many, many urban areas and it portends for some tough times ahead. To say that a true 'public education' for all is being harmed is an understatement.

Dick

The Hits Just Keep on Comin

Today's Chicago Sun-Times got it spot on when the labeled the current State of Illinois funding mess a 'School Slugfest.' We aren't talking about the many home runs hit by our beloved Sox and Cubs. We are talking about the major task of revamping the school funding formula.

Governor Rauner doesn't want to mess around with the funding formula right now. He wants to hold off on this right now in the hopes that he can achieve a grand bargain compromise on the entire state budget. On the other side, a number of legislators, John Cullerton and Senator Manar, want to steer additional dollars to CPS.

Make no mistake, at some point the funding formula is likely to change. How much is certainly up in the air. The money going to Illinois schools is only a part of the overall budget crisis. There are many moving parts to this crisis, one major one being the power to exert control over state affairs.

It sounds like a macho thing in many respects.

Dick

CPS Takeover - An Emphatic NO!

In February Governor Rauner said that he felt that the State of Illinois should take over the operation of CPS on financial grounds. Well, the Illinois State Board of Education, after a financial probe, said no to the idea. The ISBE, while acknowledging money woes, stated that "the district has not realized two consecutive years of negative operating balances."

CPS agreed that there is no need for the state to intercede. The city of Chicago and CPS can, and must, straighten out these financial issues.

From the vantage point of this blog it is a welcome relief to hear that the ISBE came out with this proclamation. I am sure many of you have followed events in Flint, MI with respect to the contaminated water crisis. Remember, Flint's governing bodies were rendered obsolete when the governor selected an outside emergency manager to run Flint. This turned out to be a disaster.

Likewise, CPS doesn't need an 'emergency' manager!!!

Dick

Moving On

Despite our (Schools Count) best efforts, it seems as though very little changes in terms of helping the most vulnerable schools, as by extension, the students, their families and the teachers. It seems as though the intransigence and obstacles put in the way of providing the necessary help far outweigh all else.

As each day passes I see those without the funds and resources simply clinging to and holding onto their high hopes. I am truly disheartened to see so little progress.

That being said, I want those who volunteer and donate to our charity to continue to march on. We are still committed to helping various schools in the Chicagoland area. Whether it's school supplies, uniforms, art materials, winter wear or band instruments we are not going to let what passes as indifference get in the way of our work.

Please, by all means, let's keep the focus on helping children in need. I am absolutely certain our work makes a real difference.

Have a good weekend,
Dick

No Strike For Now

As the school year winds down for Chicago Public School students, it also appears as though the likelihood of a teachers strike is also winding down. The CTU's governing body all but called off a strike for the remainder of the school year. To be perfectly honest, a strike in the final weeks would have been a disaster for everyone.

The CTU leadership has floated a number of ideas to raise funds and they hope that the City Council will heed their advice. Along with raising some money within Chicago, the teacher's union is also working with legislators in Springfield in the hopes of advancing a school-funding bill.

Let's say more money is found for the schools or the formula, state-wide, is altered and there still is a shortfall then what? Bottom line in my mind, the union has to be less demanding and, as the expression goes, 'bite the bullet.' This can't be a one-way street. Compromise and concessions are ALWAYS a part of almost ALL successful negotiations.

Dick

Let Me Pose These Questions

It appears as though it's a done deal...Mr. Trump vs. Secretary Clinton. No, I'm not pushing for one over the other in this blog. This is meant to be informative on the issues. That being said, I would find it to be intriguing if I could sit down with both and pose the following questions.

1. Will you maintain and strengthen the U. S. Dept. of Education?
2. What initiatives might you engage and support in terms of public education?
3. Comment on the role of charters and selective schools vs. traditional neighborhood schools
4. Comment on the source of funding public schools
5. What initiatives might you take in terms of trying to mitigate against the high cost of college?
6. Comment on the role of associations and unions
7. Your own ideas

I think we are entitled to hear some specifics on these issues.

Dick

Detroit Teachers OUT for a Second Day

The Detroit Public School Teachers are out for a second consecutive 'sick day' today. No doubt this will stir things up...those who support the teachers and those who would just as soon they got fired or 'get their butts back in the classroom where they belong.'

This madness that is urban America where jobs have disappeared and property values have eroded, along with other social and economic woes, just seems to fester in terms of its impact on education and our nation's youth. And that is really the shame in all of this; 5 year olds, 7 year olds and teenagers caught in the struggles.

The way things are going, there is bound to be a breaking point and I'm not sure that it will have a happy ending.

Dick

Detroit Schools Closed Today

It seems that though as each day dawns another urban school runs into trouble relative to money woes. This morning 94 Detroit, MI public schools are closed as the teachers have taken a 'sick day.' True, the teachers aren't sick, per se, but the fact that the state may not be able to pay teachers after June 30th is 'sickening.'

Unless the state can come up with additional funds, nearly 2/3's of the teachers who will have already earned their salaries will be faced by the fact that they won't be paid during the summer months.

Before you say that teachers shouldn't take this action let me say this...How would you feel if you did the work required of you and you weren't paid for it? Regardless of your occupation it's my guess that you wouldn't like it.

This current bleak financial problem isn't the first time that the Detroit schools have encountered some real problems and concerns. It has been well documented that funding issues are ongoing and that a good number of the schools are simply in poor condition.

Sad to say, the future of urban schools in America seems bleak.

Dick