CPS Lets Web Users Suggest System Budget
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Public Schools system wants to give you a chance to play budget wizard, and determine how spending choices you would like would affect the school system's allotted $5 billion.
As WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports, CPS has set up an interactive budget web site. The school system says the site is designed to show people how tough it is to make spending choices on everything from class size to special education, facilities and more.
The web site includes 15 sliders. As you prepare your hypothetical budget, you can increase or decrease funding in areas you choose. But unless you decrease spending in areas to offset increases you've chosen, the total amount at the bottom will be in the red – a deficit, in other words.
CPS advises you to stay within its operating budget limit of $5,100,000,000.
The interactive web site is at cps.edu/budgetchoices.
And of course, you can tell CPS officials in person what you think about the real proposed budget, at hearings Wednesday at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren St.; Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski Rd.; and Kennedy King College, 6301 S. Halsted St.
The hearings start at 6 p.m.
