"A school board and a mayor that jack up teacher salaries and openly talk of taking on more junk-rated debt during a period of deficits well into the hundreds of millions have relinquished their right to determine CPS’ future. There assuredly will be painful conditions attached to whatever assistance the state provides — if indeed a cash-strapped Springfield even summons the will and the means to help. A meaningful, enforceable school consolidation plan, perhaps? Limits on contracting authority maybe, including future negotiations with CTU?"
How about an independent oversight committee, with no ties to the state or the city come in ad audit the situation ? Totally unbiased and let their findings stand. That would be worth watching.
Fed Up Taxpayer
9 months ago
The article seems to imply the state would come in to correct the situation CPS has found itself in, but Illinois finances clearly show that they are not the “fixer”. They need the Feds – or any adult who has had a class in Economics 101 – to step in. It is hard to imagine a deal where tax dollars aren’t promised to be diverted to CPS so they don’t have to make any real decisions for consolidation of schools and or elimination of crappy teachers. And to add to the wish list of an unlikely event, how about the… Read more »
Sweet Home Alabama
9 months ago
So people in Carbondale will bail CPS out for its profligate spending? It would make more sense to allow it to file bankruptcy which it effectively is.
Waggs
9 months ago
I wonder if BLM Brandon and Commrade Gates will cry racism when this inevitable step is taken. An anecdote… On Friday, I attended a Professional Development at which there were 7 participants and 3 (!) presenters – all Central Office staff. They claimed they weren’t sure how many people were going to attend. Why?!?! I got a calendar invite and responded that I would be there. Granted these presenters are already paid as admin, so cancelling wouldn’t have saved any money. But, I share this as a micro-example of the thousands of inefficiencies that are present in CPS. Three to… Read more »
ProzacPlease
9 months ago
Reality always wins. Some people don’t accept it until reality slaps them in the head. A lot of that type run our schools.
The same type also runs the state. They both need a serious dose of reality.
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.
How about an independent oversight committee, with no ties to the state or the city come in ad audit the situation ? Totally unbiased and let their findings stand. That would be worth watching.
The article seems to imply the state would come in to correct the situation CPS has found itself in, but Illinois finances clearly show that they are not the “fixer”. They need the Feds – or any adult who has had a class in Economics 101 – to step in. It is hard to imagine a deal where tax dollars aren’t promised to be diverted to CPS so they don’t have to make any real decisions for consolidation of schools and or elimination of crappy teachers. And to add to the wish list of an unlikely event, how about the… Read more »
So people in Carbondale will bail CPS out for its profligate spending? It would make more sense to allow it to file bankruptcy which it effectively is.
I wonder if BLM Brandon and Commrade Gates will cry racism when this inevitable step is taken. An anecdote… On Friday, I attended a Professional Development at which there were 7 participants and 3 (!) presenters – all Central Office staff. They claimed they weren’t sure how many people were going to attend. Why?!?! I got a calendar invite and responded that I would be there. Granted these presenters are already paid as admin, so cancelling wouldn’t have saved any money. But, I share this as a micro-example of the thousands of inefficiencies that are present in CPS. Three to… Read more »
Reality always wins. Some people don’t accept it until reality slaps them in the head. A lot of that type run our schools.
The same type also runs the state. They both need a serious dose of reality.
Yes, yes, yes! I am not sure whether the particular plan discussed here is the right one but it’s the right idea, IMO.