School Board Green Lights Increasing Class Sizes, Lay Offs
By Hunter Clauss
School Board Green Lights Increasing Class Sizes, Lay Offs
By Hunter Clauss
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The Chicago Board of Education on Tuesday gave Chicago Public Schools
CEO Ron Huberman the power to lay off teachers and increase class
sizes. CPS is searching for ways to plug an estimated $427 million
budget deficit.Related: Unfiltered: Special Meeting of the Chicago Board of Education
Board president Mary Richardson-Lowry says the looming budget deficit requires tough decision making.
RICHARDSON-LOWRY: My mother was a teacher. There are a lot of good teachers out there. That’s not what this is about today. We have a financial crisis.
Outgoing Chicago Teachers Union President Marilyn Stewart challenged the independence of board members, who are appointed by Daley.
STEWART: It seems to me that a board of education should have the courage and conviction to stand up to the mayor and say, ‘No, Mr. Mayor. We can’t stuff 35 children in a classroom.’
Today’s special board meeting was called to approve a 4 percent pay raise for union teachers. That was approved, averting a possible teacher’s union strike over pay.