The Chicago Tribune reports:
The Chicago Public Schools proposed $5.73 billion budget for 2012-2013 provides a 2 percent raise for teachers — the initial offer made to the Chicago Teachers Union in ongoing contract talks —while also draining the district’s cash reserves as officials struggle to cover a $665 million deficit.
Even with $144 million in cuts to operations and central-office programs, expenses in the budget are up by $51.1 million over the previous year. CPS already said it was increasing its property tax by as much as is allowed by law, a figure that will cost the owner of a $250,000 house an additional $28 each year.
There's more:
About 850 teachers were laid off last month because of schools facing low enrollment, closings or turnarounds.
So: higher taxes, lower enrollment equals bigger budget!! That's the Chicago Way.
