Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

4 things to watch as new CPS school year starts, from classroom cuts to enrollment counts

suntimes.com · 2h · first reportShare

Chicago Public Schools enters a new school year Monday under a cloud of uncertainty. Last month the Chicago School Board amended the district's budget to assume the state will kick in more money to prevent layoffs and other cost-cutting measures. But those funds aren’t a sure bet. In the meantime, schools are scrambling to bring back some laid-off staff or get by without the positions they lost. District leaders have expressed concerns about “consequences” later in the year if extra money doesn’t come through from the city or state. Enrollment dipped last year, and may fall again this year — setting up the district for more hard conversations about how it divides up resources. At the same time, the district is about to get a new school board that could shift the balance of power and direction of the district. Here’s a look at the four big issues WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times will be watching as the new school year gets underway. How are budget cuts affecting schools? At this point, pa