Chicago Public Schools Increases Classroom Spending to Better Serve Students

 

Chicago Public Schools Increases Classroom Spending to Better Serve Students  

Proposed $9.4 Billion Budget Makes Strategic Investments, including Additional $128M to Support Students with Special Needs  

CHICAGO – Chicago Public Schools (CPS) posted a proposed $9.4 billion FY2024 District budget that supports the critical investments that have guided students’ academic recovery from the wide-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and increases investments in key areas to support the District’s Diverse Learners and students with the greatest needs, from Pre-K through high school. The CPS budget, covering the educational and operational mission of the District and its more than 600 schools, is posted on its public website and available at the District’s central office for review in advance of budget hearings next week and the Board of Education’s monthly meeting June 28.  

”This proposed budget is a step toward fulfilling CPS’ commitment to providing resources for every school community so that our students are healthy, safe, engaged, and on the path to long-term success,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This investment in our children is not only an investment in a stronger future for them and their families but is essential to living up to Chicago’s promise as a world-class city.” 

Since the District’s release of draft FY24 school budgets in April, the FY2024 budget now contains $4.8 billion in school-level funding, an increase of more than $480 million over the past two years. Increased allocations address school-specific concerns and the continued multi-year move away from student-based budgeting and toward funding that better considers students’ varied needs. Highlights of the revised school budgets include: 

Per-pupil spending is increasing by more than $1,000 in school budgets next year. 

Ninety-two (92) percent of schools will have a higher per-pupil funding level compared with last year — up from the 91 percent reported in April. 

Ninety (90) percent of schools will see increased funding over last year — up from the April projections of 82 percent and up from 70 percent last year. 

Thirty-nine (39) percent of funding in school budgets is allocated according to Student-Based Budgeting  — down from the 43 percent reported in April and down from 46 percent in FY2023. 

Overall, schools will receive more than $240 million more in their budgets compared with last year — this figure is up more than $90 million from the $150 million increase reported in April.  

 The school budgets continue to support the priorities that CPS principals and school communities have shared are critical student success, including: 

Reasonable class sizes 

Limited split classrooms 

Access to high-quality arts education 

More intervention supports, including the hiring of more nurses, counselors, social workers, academic interventionists, and advocates for students in temporary living situations (STLS). 

“We’re grateful to be able to fund these priorities - this foundation for what all schools should and can expect to receive,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “We will continue to work  to ensure every school has the resources necessary to meet students' instructional needs as our District moves forward, from expanding services to preschoolers to increasing our graduation rate and the dollars earned in college scholarships.”  

Any schools that saw cuts to their budgets this year are schools that have seen significant enrollment declines or have seen decreases in specific student populations, such as diverse learners or preschool students. FY2024 budgets include loss mitigation strategies, including $11 million to cap local funding losses at three percent and a $5 million increase to equity grants.  

The remainder of the District’s annual budget is made up of the budgets for the CPS departments that support schools, academically and operationally, along with the District’s pension obligations, debt service, and capital budget. The FY24 budget maintains a sharp equity focus on continued academic recovery, mental health service and best serving our priority students, including our Diverse Learners, English Learners, Students in Temporary Living Situations, and students who are chronically absent or truant.  

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