Latest news with #CPS
CBS News
17 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Chicago Public Schools lays off 161 employees, cuts 209 vacant positions amid $734 budget shortfall
Chicago Public Schools officials on Friday announced more than 160 layoffs, and the elimination of more than 200 vacant positions, mostly among workers in its central office and citywide staff, as the district faces a $734 million budget gap for next year. A CPS spokesperson said 67 central office and network office workers were laid off, along with seven Chicago Teachers Union positions, and 87 employees represented by SEIU Local 73 – nearly all of whom were crossing guards. CPS officials also eliminated 166 vacant central office positions, 19 vacant CTU positions, and 24 vacant crossing guard positions. None of the layoffs or position reductions involved staff assigned to schools, according to CPS. "Chicago Public Schools remains committed to using every available dollar to support student learning and school communities, despite the District's ongoing and well-documented funding challenges. In continuing preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, CPS is taking a careful and strategic approach to reduce spending while minimizing the impact on classrooms," CPS spokesman Evan Moore said in a statement. Earlier this week, at her first school board meeting, interim Chicago Public Schools CEO announced the district's budget shortfall for the 2025-26 school year had grown from $529 million to $734 million. CPS normally releases a budget plan for the school district in June, but has yet to finalize a spending plan for the upcoming school year. Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates recently called on the district to take out a loan to address the shortfall and avoid cuts. She also said the district needs to do more to persuade Illinois lawmakers to provide CPS more money in the annual budget, arguing the state's education funding formula calls for the district to receive $1.2 billion more each year.
Chicago Tribune
18 hours ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
CPS lays off 161, eliminates 209 positions to plug budget hole
In a cost-cutting move to plug a $734 million shortfall, Chicago Public Schools officials on Friday said they laid off dozens of workers in its central office and citywide staff. In all, CPS laid off 161 employees, according to district officials. The cuts come after interim schools chief Macquline King told the Chicago Board of Education at a meeting Thursday that the district faces a budget deficit $201 million more than officials previously cited. Though the budget is typically released in June, district officials have yet to finalize a spending plan — or say how they plan to address the now $730 million shortfall. Before Thursday's meeting, the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Local 73, which represents public service workers in schools, held a news conference urging district officials to prevent additional cuts. Under the blazing sun, scores of parents, teachers, and school staff gathered holding signs and wearing union T-shirts. Among those impacted by the layoffs were 87 members of SEIU Local 73, among nearly all of whom were crossing guards, district officials said. Seven Chicago Teachers Union employees were also impacted. 'CPS children cannot afford to lose the care and resources union members have fought so hard to obtain since the pandemic,' SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer said in a news release Thursday. Officials also eliminated 209 open positions across the offices 'Chicago Public Schools remains committed to using every available dollar to support student learning and school communities, despite the district's ongoing and well-documented funding challenges,' district officials said in a statement. 'In continuing preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, CPS is taking a careful and strategic approach to reduce spending while minimizing the impact on classrooms.' Officials said that over the past several months, while under the leadership of previous CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, the district's talent team has been 'working closely with the Budget Office and department leaders to take a thoughtful look at how we operate.' Together, they've been 'identifying ways to be more efficient and find cost savings across our central offices and administrative functions,' officials said. Employees affected by the central office actions were notified Friday, officials said. Union partners were notified earlier this week. Officials said the district 'acknowledges the thoughtful and difficult work undertaken by teams across the organization to ensure these decisions have the least possible impact on students.' SEIU Local 73 in its release called on the city and the Chicago Board of Education to 'urgently explore other alternatives that will not directly harm these students' education.' Meanwhile, district officials stated the district remains 'focused on transparency and fiscal responsibility and will continue to work closely with city leaders, labor partners, and community stakeholders to address the long-standing structural underfunding of public education in Chicago,' adding that ensuring 'students receive the high-quality education they deserve remains the District's top priority.'
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Chicago Public Schools interim CEO says district's deficit is over $200 million more than reported
Chicago Public Schools CEO says district's deficit is over $200 million more than reported Chicago Public Schools CEO says district's deficit is over $200 million more than reported Chicago Public Schools CEO says district's deficit is over $200 million more than reported The interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools said the district's budget deficit is $734 million, more than $200 million more than previously reported. Macqueline King made the announcement at a Thursday school board meeting. Officials said the increase of $205 million from the previously reported $529 million is due to a $175 million payment to a city pension fund that covers some district staff. CPS has yet to finalize a budget, which is typically released at this time of year. The board has 60 days to finalize a budget or face major cuts. Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates recently called on the district to take out a loan to address the shortfall and avoid cuts. She also said the district needs to do more to persuade Illinois lawmakers to provide CPS more money in the annual budget, arguing the state's education funding formula calls for the district to receive $1.2 billion more each year.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
IED rates ADB's 5-year CAP for Pakistan as highly successful
ISLAMABAD: The Independent Evaluation Department (IED) has rated the Asian Development Bank (ADB)'s five years Country Assistance Program (CAP) for Pakistan, amounting $15.1 billion as highly satisfactory and successful. The evaluation document however, noted that headway on reducing debilitating circular debt in the power sector was limited, and growth in access to affordable housing was below target. This Country Assistance Programme Review (CAPR) assesses the performance of ADB sovereign and non-sovereign operations that were completed, ongoing, or approved during 2020–2024 in Pakistan. ADB's IED rates $800m 'TCP' as 'successful' The ADB's portfolio in Pakistan over the 5-year CAPR period comprised of 113 sovereign lending and Technical Assistance (TA) projects amounting to $15.1 billion, as well as three non-sovereign lending and TA projects worth $111.4 million. The ADB's CAP in Pakistan, including performance against the 2021–2025 Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) targets, is rated successful overall. This evaluation follows the new 2024 Guidelines for the Country Assistance Programme Review and Validation, assesses all aspects of ADB's engagement in Pakistan rather than the CPS results alone, and centres on four criteria: relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability. The ADB's portfolio facilitated reforms to make Pakistan's energy sector more efficient and sustainable. The CPS set an ambitious target for reducing the annual circular debt flow in the power sector to less than Rs50 billion by 2025 from a very high Rs450 billion in fiscal year 2019. Progress was made. The circular debt had dropped to Rs83 billion by the end of 2024. The Rs50 billion CPS indicator target was not likely to be met by 2025, however, the energy sector continues to be captive to persistent challenges, including the high cost of generating power with imported fossil fuels, transmission and distribution losses, low collection rates, governance issues at electricity supply companies, and delays in tariff adjustments. To improve access to affordable housing, a CPS indicator targeted a mortgage-to GDP-ratio of 0.4 per cent by 2025. As of 2024, despite efforts, the ratio had improved by only 20 percent and stood at 0.3 percent. The pandemic and the 2022 flood disaster have likely put the original CPS objectives for school enrolment out of reach. Health expenditure as a share of GDP rose temporarily due to the COVID-19; still, at 1.2 percent, the average allocation during the CAPR period was well short of the CPS's 2025 benchmark of 3 percent of GDP. The CAP helped Pakistan make progress on several socioeconomic fronts during 2020–2024, but further effort is required in the most challenging areas if the country's ambitious development targets are to be achieved. The CAP strongly aligned with Pakistan's critical development needs and the focus of the government's Vision 2025 on addressing economic, governance, and human development challenges. The ADB investments aimed to improve economic management, build resilience, and boost competitiveness and private sector development—the three pillars of the 2021–2025 CPS, which fully aligned with ADB's Strategy 2023 and linked to all seven of its operational priorities. The programme supported federal and provincial government long-term goals. The ADB maximised its support through a fit-for-purpose mix of financing modalities and instruments. A sound design and ADB's quick and agile adaptations sustained the CAP's relevance through the series of crises that marked the CAPR period, including the COVID-19 pandemic, disastrous flooding in 2022, bouts of severe macroeconomic instability, and three changes in government. The CAP met most of the key outcome targets in the CPS for 2021–2025; 100 percent of the operations completed during the CAPR period, many of which were approved under previous CPSs, were rated effective or highly effective. Top achievements included improved economic management and governance. Targets for raising tax revenues and expanding exports were achieved. So were those for strengthening the resilience of vulnerable populations to climate change and natural disasters. Social protection was expanded through ADB support, and water resource management and irrigation infrastructure were improved. The pandemic and the 2022 flood disaster have likely put the original CPS objectives for school enrolment out of reach. Health expenditure as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose temporarily due to the COVID-19; still, at 1.2 percent, the average allocation during the CAPR period was well short of the CPS's 2025 benchmark of 3 percent of GDP. The CAP helped Pakistan make progress on several socioeconomic fronts during 2020–2024, but further effort is required in the most challenging areas if the country's ambitious development targets are to be achieved. The CAP's highly satisfactory rating for efficiency is based on the delivery by sovereign operations of results in an efficient and a timely manner. The portfolio was large, but detailed preparation, sound project designs, and regular stakeholder consultation achieved impressive results on two key indicators over the 2020–2023 period, average time from concept approval to first disbursement (22.4 months), and average disbursement rate (125 percent). The CAP outperformed the ADB average on both these measures. About one of every eight lending projects completed during the CAPR period were rated efficient or highly efficient. Delays in the adoption of related legislative amendments were responsible for the lower efficiency evaluations of most of the remaining projects. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
Chicago Home Tutor Launches High School Admissions Test Preparation
Specializing in test prep and academic support, Chicago Home Tutor offers personalized in-home and online tutoring to help Chicago students excel in top-tier school admissions. As the October High School Admissions Test approaches for local CPS students, Chicago Home Tutor launches city-wide support to help students prepare. Chicago Home Tutor now offers customized lesson plans, practice tests, and strategy sessions designed to help students excel in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) selective enrollment exam. Designed to assess math, reading, and problem-solving skills, the test plays a crucial role in determining admission to top-tier high schools. By beginning preparation early, students have more time to master challenging concepts, identify weaknesses, and build confidence. This support has arrived none too soon. Education experts at Chicago Home Tutor stress the value of early preparation, particularly during the summer months. The Chicagoland-based tutoring service emphasizes that starting HSAT Test Prep well in advance can significantly improve test performance and reduce stress. With an experienced team of over 170 tutors and specialists, Chicago Home Tutor has the expertise and diversity to apply the specific tutor skillset required to address a student's unique needs. Their tutors have years of experience guiding students through the competitive admissions process, and tutors work closely with families to create flexible schedules, making it easier to balance preparation with other summer activities. The program also includes regular timed practice tests to measure improvement and adjust study plans as needed. 'We help parents find the right private tutor for their child's unique personality and diverse learning needs. Our tutors are licensed, career educators and specialists from all across Chicago, including the suburbs and North Shore,' said Joe Hopper, President of Chicago Home Tutor. For students considering HSAT Test Prep, experts at Chicago Home Tutor recommend starting no later than July to ensure ample time for a thorough review. Early preparation not only enhances subject mastery but also helps students develop effective test-taking strategies, such as time management and question prioritization. 'Summer is the ideal time for HSAT Test Prep because students have fewer academic distractions and can focus on building a strong foundation. Our personalized, one-on-one tutoring approach ensures that each student receives targeted instruction based on their unique learning style and pace,' added Hopper. With the October exam fast approaching, Chicago Home Tutor encourages parents to take advantage of the summer break to give their children a competitive edge with the support of experienced educators with firsthand knowledge of the CPS admissions process. For more information, visit Chicago Home Tutor helps students from diverse backgrounds tap their unique strengths to meet academic challenges. As local Chicago-based professional educators, they get to know their students and understand their needs, helping them build resilience and confidence in a familiar in-home tutoring environment. These highly experienced tutors support students in a wide range of skills, from the local CPS High School Admissions Test preparation to learning to read using multi-sensory approaches like Orton-Gillingham and Wilson to empowering middle schoolers with better time management and helping high school students master higher-level AP math. For students with learning challenges, specialist ADHD tutors at Chicago Home Tutor can support individuals on the spectrum, providing them with executive functioning coaching, tutoring for learning disabilities, gifted tutoring, and more. Chicago Home Tutor is a leading provider of in-home and online tutoring services, specializing in academic support and test preparation. Serving families across Chicagoland, the company is committed to helping students achieve their educational goals through personalized, high-impact instruction. About Chicago Home Tutor: Chicago Home Tutor is the premier private tutoring service supporting diverse learners, offering customized in-home pre-K-12 academic support and test prep in Chicago. The company specializes in matching students with local tutors with complementary backgrounds, experience, skills, and personality for one-on-one learning. Its tailored approach addresses individual strengths and weaknesses, ensuring measurable improvement. Founded in 2015, Chicago Home Tutor was reorganized in 2023 as part of Entrust Tutoring LLC. With it's track record of empowering students, the company stands out for its flexible scheduling and results-driven methods. Serving families across the city, it remains a trusted resource for academic success. With a network of over 170 passionate educators, Chicago Home Tutor's consultative approach ensures that each student receives personalized instruction designed to help them meet their academic goals while building confidence and a love for learning. Media Contact Company Name: Entrust Tutoring LLC d/b/a Chicago Home Tutor Contact Person: Joe Hopper, President Email: Send Email Phone: (312) 622 1494 Address: 2155 W Belmont Ave #35 City: Chicago State: IL 60618 Country: United States Website:
