Overview

• More than 300,000 Chicago Public Schools students returned to classrooms on August 18 under the new academic calendar.
• The Chicago Board of Education must adopt a balanced fiscal year 2026 budget by August 28 to cover a $734 million shortfall left by expiring federal relief and funding formula changes.
• Interim CEO Macquline King’s proposal would fill the gap with roughly $165 million in cuts and added revenue without committing to a $175 million pension payment or high-interest borrowing.
• CPS will assume direct control of custodial services on September 30, severing seven vendor contracts that affect about 1,250 workers, eliminating part-time roles and hiring 750 full-time custodians.
• Teachers Union contract changes have reduced early-grade class sizes to 25 and added new support positions even as the district trims hot meal offerings, crossing guard posts and central office jobs.