Budget 2022

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Despite unprecedented, ongoing challenges created by a global pandemic, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) continues to focus on what matters most—providing an equitable, high-quality education for all students.

The proposed FY2022 budget balances the unique needs of today’s learners with the future we see for our students after COVID-19. With the federal stimulus funds CPS received, the district has created Moving Forward Together, a new two-year initiative that will invest more than $525 million in the resources and supports our students and school communities need as they emerge from the pandemic. In FY2022, $267 million will be devoted to Moving Forward Together initiatives, funding programs such as a CPS Tutor Corps, behavioral and mental health teams in every school, and upgraded technology that will allow teachers and students to fully utilize Skyline, a modern, standards-aligned, and culturally-responsive curriculum.

The district is receiving $2.6 billion between FY2021 and FY2024 in COVID-related emergency federal funding through ESSER II and ESSER III. The FY2022 budget includes $1.06 billion in funding from the federal ESSER II and ESSER III allocations to address students’ needs aligned to the three ESSER priority areas: 1) Emerging stronger post-pandemic, with a focus on a safe return to in-person instruction; 2) Maintaining continuity of service, including maintaining staffing and adding additional resources in schools, and 3) Resource equity addressing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and communities experiencing poverty.

CPS schools are also receiving more than $225 million in additional funding as part of this year’s proposed budget. These funds will support the following investments, which we are confident will move us toward our goal of providing a high-quality education for every child, no matter their race, zip code, or country of origin. In the year ahead:

• $85 million will support student needs due to the pandemic. Part of Moving Forward Together, more than half of these funds can be used at each school’s discretion to provide targeted student support, while the remaining funds will be distributed to Out-of-School Time enrichment programs and charter schools.
• $66 million in equity grants will continue promoting equity throughout the district. This record-high investment will support high-quality instruction at more than 400 schools experiencing low or declining enrollment, as well as community hardship.
• $32 million will mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on school enrollment. In our budget engagement meetings, school communities noted their concern about declines in student enrollment during the pandemic. In response to that feedback, CPS is investing $32 million to ensure schools are not harmed by enrollment declines caused by COVID-19.
• $17 million will increase staffing levels in critical support roles. As part of the district’s multi-year commitment to ensure that all students benefit from the specialists they need to access a well rounded education, this investment will fund 78 nurse, 44 social worker, and 51 special education case manager positions, resulting in record high staffing levels for the district.
• $30 million will support special education and expand opportunities for diverse learners. This funding will not only advance equity and support student needs, but it will also provide all selective enrollment high schools with at least one additional special education teacher position as part of our commitment to more than doubling the number of diverse learners who are offered spots at selective enrollment high schools.

The FY2022 budget also includes $672 million in guaranteed capital spending to focus on priority facilities needs at neighborhood schools. This includes upgrading mechanical systems which control the indoor environment and air-quality of our schools; expanding the number of full-day pre-k classrooms; increasing ADA accessibility; modernizing restrooms; improving student recreation and athletic facilities; and upgrading technology.

In keeping with the equity focus outlined in our Five-Year Vision, the FY2022 capital budget was developed using the district’s Equity Index—a tool created last year by CPS’ Equity Office to inform where resources are most needed throughout the city. It was also formed by recommendations from the district’s School Funding Working Group as well as the invaluable feedback gathered from families, educators, and partners at community budget forums held earlier this year as part of a multi-year commitment from Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and CPS leadership to give families and school communities platforms for providing feedback on improving equity within schools.

With equity at its core, the FY2022 budget reflects our district’s continued financial stability and invests in programming, technology, staffing, and infrastructure that aligns with the commitments established by our district’s Five-Year Vision. As we prepare for the new school year, when we will welcome students back to in-person learning five days a week, CPS remains committed to meeting the needs our students face today while setting them up for continued success in the future.

Sincerely,

José M. Torres, PhD
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Public Schools