The Chicago Tribune reports:
In order to pay for the $8.4 billion budget Chicago Public Schools has proposed for the new school year, the district is relying on a second wave of federal relief funding to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic
There's more:
Those investments include $653 million for updates at more than 250 schools, including building renovations, modernized science labs, new preschool classrooms and spaces to support academic programs such as STEM, dual-language and international baccalaureate; and $50 million for a sports complex for South and Near South Side students. A five-year, $100 million commitment to ADA accessibility will start with upgrades to 36 more schools, toward the goal to make every first floor accessible. The district also designated $97 million more than last year to support students in special education programs.
As the district continues to roll out universal pre-K for 4-year-olds, it estimates 900 seats will be added through 43 new full-day preschool classrooms in 14 “priority communities.”
The budget, which the Board of Education is expected to consider for approval on Aug. 26, sets aside $75 million for COVID-19-related costs, including computers for remote learning, and cleaning supplies and masks for the eventual reopening of schools.
The district already announced a $125 million increase to individual school budgets, which are projected to total $4 billion. The $7.7 billion CPS budget announced last August included $3.8 billion for individual schools. The district later amended its budget to reflect provisions of the teachers contract signed after an 11-day strike in the fall.
The
math isn't good here. We'll know more in the fall because Chicago may lose students but: $8.4 billion divided by 355,000 is an amazing $23,662. You can say Illinois isn't known to spend a lot on
education.
