CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools announced last week that neighborhood schools will see almost $60 million in cuts districtwide, while charter schools and other charter programs for at-risk students would see a combined $30 million in gains.
The hardest-hit school Chicago Lawn-area school will be Gage Park High School, which serves several neighborhoods including Chicago Lawn. The school is set to lose more than $1.3 million, and its enrollment is expected to drop 157 students to 336.
That projected budget loss makes Gage Park the third hardest-hit school throughout Chicago. It comes behind Julian High School (losing $1,789,140) and Kelvyn Park High School (losing $1,696,246).
Here are the funding changes to Chicago Lawn-area schools:
• Carson Elementary: -$163,428
• Catalyst Maria Charter School: +$1,463,135
• Eberhart Elementary: -$163,557
• Excel Academy Southwest: +$3,504,451
• Fairfield Elementary: +$18,747
• Gage Park High School: -$1,348,494
• Marquette Elementary: -$45,139
• McKay Elementary: +$165,682
• Morrill Elementary: +$145,960
• Sandoval Elementary: -$201,594
• Tarkington Elementary: -$276,589
• Tonti Elementary: +$118,052
In a media conference call on student-based budgeting last week, CPS Chief Financial Officer Ginger Ostro said 238 schools would see increased funding, at a total of $68.5 million, while 416 will see their budgets cut, at a total of $99.5 million.
"Money follows the students," Ostro said, adding that projected CPS enrollment for the coming school year is 372,275, down about 1 percent from last year.
According to the district, so-called neighborhood schools are expected to enroll about 4,000 fewer students in the fall, while charters increase enrollment by about 3,000 students.
Basic student-based budgeting would remain level at $4,390 a student for grades 4-8, with $4,697 for students in kindergarten through third grade and $5,444 a pupil in high schools.
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