The Weekly Ed Update- 5.26.17: School funding- is it moving in Springfield?

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School funding — is it moving in Springfield?

Looks like Governor Rauner is still protesting any increase to CPS in the school funding formula bills. From our understanding, the House bill on the table would give a modest increase to CPS. These bills require the passage of revenue to meet adequacy targets but don’t mandate revenue.

Tribune: Dispute over CPS money latest snag in longtime debate on school funding

Board recap

CPS voted to add two new high school graduation requirements at Wednesday’s board meetings. Students will now have to take chemistry and physics to graduate and provide a letter of acceptance for a job, college or the military to receive their diploma.

Parents from Seward were out in force to stop CPS from closing their branch building, as they will lose their library, as well as art, technology, and special education classrooms.

Parents from NTA were also there to oppose the changing of their school boundaries which would yield the majority of their students to be placed at the new South Loop building. In a letter sent home to South Loop Elementary and National Teacher Academy families, community meetings were announced to discuss the possibility of converting NTA into a high school for South Loop, Chinatown, north Bronzeville, and Bridgeport.

Parents affiliated with RYH spoke about district finances at the board meeting including issues around borrowing instead of sustainable solutions and accountability and transparency of the board.

You can read statements presented at the Board meeting by RYH parents here.

Press coverage on CPS Borrowing

Sun-Times: CPS board approves big new borrowing, new chief of purchasing

WBEZ: Chicago Public Schools Look To Borrow $900 Million

Sun-Times:Emanuel playing poker about plans for CPS tax hike

ERSB passes house — with one big change

The elected school board bill passed out of the House again and is supposedly going to be called in the Senate in the next week. Unfortunately, an amendment was added this week to move the effective date from 2019 to 2023. We have to acknowledge the hard work of parents and community partners who have worked on this bill for years. The bill wouldn’t be moving at all had this work not happened. That said, 2023 is way too far away, and CPS needs democracy, accountability and transparency ASAP.

WTTW: Illinois House Once Again Backs Elected Chicago School Board

RYH Pass the Torch party — buy your tickets now!

Raise Your Hand’s Founder and long-time Executive Director, Wendy Katten, is passing the torch to new leadership! Join us to celebrate and recognize Wendy’s work, welcome our new leadership and raise funds to support RYH’s mission well into the future.

Thursday June 8
RYH Pass the Torch Party
7-9:30pm
Old Irving Brewery
4419 W Montrose Ave
Purchase tickets or become a sponsor here