NEW PROCESS FOR NEW SCHOOLS RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, in August 2013, Chicago Public Schools issued a request for proposals for new charter schools to open in the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years with the stated purpose of relieving overcrowding; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Board of Education voted in May 2013 to close 50 local public schools, stating that downsizing the school district was necessary to address its budget deficit; and
WHEREAS, by CPS closing schools last year, they divested $149 million dollars away from 50 schools within 19 wards, and additionally cut $17 million from the CPS schools that remained open in those wards.
WHEREAS, having 64% (74) of all charters in the city within 19 wards - was a direct cause ofthe local public schools being "under-utilized" and eventually closing; and
WHEREAS, Chicago Public Schools has increased its spending citywide on charter schools by more than $143 million within the last two years, while the budgets of local public schools have been cut by $351 million; and
WHEREAS, CPS increased the funding of 74 charters by $42 million dollars within the 19 wards that had schools closed; and
WHEREAS, if Chicago's Board of Education approves the current 21 proposals for new charter schools, it will cost an additional $225 million over the next 10 years to operate these new schools; and
WHEREAS, Chicago Public Schools has not produced an analysis of the potential negative effects a charter expansion could have on existing schools and their surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, there are more targeted and cost-effective approaches to relieving school overcrowding, such as attendance boundary shifts, mobile units, annex construction, and leasing additional space; and
WHEREAS, a significant number ofthe charter proposals that are being considered through the Request for Proposals are not located in the areas CPS has prioritized for new schools; and
WHEREAS, there is no clear evidence that Chicago's charter schools provide h...
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