Chicago School Board Members Warn Of Cuts At Schools If Mayors Budget Doesnt Pass

Community advocates rallied outside Austin High School to support Mayor Brandon Johnson's $16. 6 billion budget, which allocates $552. 4 million for Chicago Public Schools. The budget was recently rejected by a key committee, leading the mayor to solicit more budget efficiency ideas from aldermen. Jitu Brown, a school board member, emphasized the detrimental effects of the status quo on schools like Douglass, which has seen enrollment drop from 600 to just 35 students.

Teacher Wallace Wilbourn Jr. warned that rejecting the budget could result in staff cuts and increased taxes for working families. City budget officials noted that the CPS funding comes as a lump sum, leaving the school board to determine its allocation. The Chicago Board of Education previously approved a $10. 2 billion budget for the 2025-26 school year, relying on at least $379 million from the city.

The mayor's proposal also includes a $1 billion surplus that could benefit the city's financial standing. The budget's approval is crucial for maintaining current school funding and avoiding midyear cuts.