CPS Tells Principals No Layoffs, No Major Cuts
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Public Schools officials were giving principals some relatively good budget news on Wednesday: no layoffs or big program cuts.
"Whew. We were definitely nervous. We were definitely very anxious about what could have been very catastrophic cuts," said Dr. Leviis Haney, principal of Joseph Lovett Elementary School in the Galewood neighborhood.
Haney said his school and others have been told their budgets will be tight, but not crippling.
Between briefings with principals, CPS chief executive officer Forrest Claypool told reporters the state's budget deal, which allows for a property tax hike and more state aid for Chicago schools, provides breathing room for the district.
Claypool said there will be some efficiencies, but he can't say exactly how a big budget gap will be closed.
"In August, when we put out the entire budget in full, we will have greater detail, and you'll see everything that we've done to bring the budget into balance, but today is the first step in that budget process, it is not the last step in the budget process," he said.
Claypool said CPS will borrow money to pay for infrastructure costs like school repairs.