Members of the Chicago Board of Education are weighing input from a lot of stakeholders ahead of a vote next week on this year's budget.
And the board and administrators got an earful during Tuesday's public comment period.
The issue is reminiscent of those story problems kids get in math class: balance the Chicago Public Schools budget without subtracting classroom resources. But the board is divided about a required payment of $175 million into the fund that covers pensions for non-educational CPS workers.
State law requires the city to make that payment, but Mayor Johnson has repeatedly said the district should pay it, since it involves their employees, and should borrow money to do it. Interim CEO Doctor Macquline King's budget includes no additional borrowing, and only makes that payment if the district gets additional aid from the city or state.
Diane Castro from the Chicago Teachers Union supported the Mayor's position during the meeting, saying that borrowing is the only sure way to guarantee that CPS workers are taken care of as the city pursues additional state aid.
"While there are many and multiple assurances that this plan is sound," Castro said of the district's official budget, "I did not hear where reality checks this work."
Other speakers, including longtime political insider and former charter schools chief Juan Rangel, support Dr. King's budget proposal, suggesting that any short-term borrowing would negatively impact schools in the long run.
"Don't cower to any bullying from special interests like CTU, who puts themselves before children, and the people of Chicago," Rangel said.
For the Board of Education, this story problem will be on the final. A vote on the budget is set for August 28.
