With all the rumors about a possible CPS strike students, teachers and parents are confused on whether there are days off on the horizon.  After a seven day long strike back in 2012, most CPS members don’t want to go through that again.  Here’s a rundown on what’s happening and why it’s important.  

What’s happening?

CPS teachers are currently working without a contract.  Over the summer, CPS laid off 1,400 faculty members to tear $200 million from their debt.  In addition to this, the head of CPS Forrest Claypool threatened that 5,000 teachers could be laid off if CPS doesn’t receive financial help from the state by Thanksgiving.  

Why is it happening?

Both the State and CPS are in deep financial debt.  Additionally, CPS  has large pension obligations which it  has found difficult  to meet in recent years.  According to Jay Rehak, President of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, “CPS has this large pension obligation due to the fact that from 1995-2005 CPS made no payments into the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund.”  But CPS is somewhat digging itself into a hole as charter schools are continually being built and supported.  Also with the recent Barbara Byrd Bennett scandal, there are many wonders about what’s going on behind the scenes of CPS.  Some Chicago Teacher Union members wonder if CPS is “Broke on purpose”.  

Why should I care?

If 5,000 teachers are cut from CPS, students would face chaos in the middle of the year.  Thousands of students would have to switch teachers and their schedules.  With CPS class sizes already oversized, the teacher cuts would make them even bigger.  

Another issue would be AP classes.  The College Board has a set date for all AP classes.  With a potential strike, class time for students to learn the material by the test would be somewhat diminished.  CPS already has a late start compared to other schools and a strike would put teachers and students under more stress.  

The last day for CPS is June 21.  A strike for more than seven says would make students go to school until July.  

Quotes

“I honestly believe no one wants a strike, but no one wanted World War I and yet it happened and lasted a terrible 4 years.” -Jay Rehak, CTU delegate

“We have good voices and we have good feet and we will use them both to make sure the public interest in the public schools are safeguarded in this time of financial crisis”  Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Jesse Sharkey .

“Chicago Public Schools officials have been consistently clear that without an agreement with Springfield that addresses our fiscal challenges, a mix of unsustainable borrowing and further cuts would be needed before the start of the spring semester.”  Bill McCaffrey, a spokesperson for CPS