contract gives teachers<\/u><\/a> 4-5% pay raises in each of the four years; provides extra pay for veteran teachers; sets lower class size limits; increases funding for sports programs; and hires potentially hundreds more staff positions, including 90 new librarians in a district with a scarcity of functioning school libraries.<\/p>\nThe Board of Education voted 19-0 \u2014 with one abstention from board member Debby Pope, a former CTU official \u2014 to approve the agreement and also to amend the district\u2019s budget to use its remaining dollars this school year to cover the cost of the deal\u2019s first year.<\/p>\n
But there are questions about how CPS will pay for the subsequent three years given the more than $500 million deficit expected as soon as next school year. Martinez said \u201cmany avenues [are] being explored.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we know for certain is that our financial outlook for the next several years is challenging, and we must work together to find new revenue to fund our schools,\u201d said Martinez, who is leaving the district in June.<\/p>\n
Martinez said district officials and board members will join community leaders in Springfield next Tuesday to lobby state lawmakers for more education funding for all Illinois school districts.<\/p>\n
Davis Gates applauded that effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to need everyone and then some to bring back what Chicago Public Schools has deserved for generations,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n