Teacher deal could lead to property tax hikes, school closings, layoffs

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | September 14, 2012 | Fran Speilman, Chicago City Hall Reporter

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Four years of up-to-the-limit property tax increases for Chicago homeowners and businesses. Closing scores of under-enrolled and underperforming schools. Thousands of layoffs of teachers and other school staff. More cuts to the central office.

That’s what could await the Chicago Public Schools, thanks to the tentative agreement between teachers and the district that is expected to put an end to the five-day teachers strike.

Civic Federation President Laurence Msall said the 16 percent pay raise included in the tentative agreement will almost certainly trigger massive layoffs and scores of school closings.

Every 1 percent pay raise carries a $20 million price tag. That means the cost of the raises could be as high as $320 million over four years — although it could be less after retirements and cost-saving provisions of the agreement are factored in.

“By agreeing to raises in excess of the budget when you have no reserves, that pretty much guarantees that you have to reduce your personnel and the number of teachers and schools in the system,” Msall said.

“They will have to eliminate under-enrolled and underperforming schools. I don’t know where else you could get the money. We are very concerned that the district did not have a plan for how it could accommodate any salary increase above 2 percent and did not have a plan to address the major components of the $1 billion shortfall it projects for next years.”

Ald. Howard Brookins (21st), chairman of the City Council’s Black Caucus, said the teachers union has been sounding the alarm about 100 school closings, but he’s “never heard that number from anybody from CPS” or the mayor’s office.

“Naturally, some of the schools will close [given] the percentage of population that is leaving Chicago,” Brookins said.

[Moonman62]

“Naturally, some of the schools will close [given] the percentage of population that is leaving Chicago,” Brookins said.

Golly, why is that? Maybe they can get some Hollywood liberals to move in. They all seem to want their taxes raised.

[Lancey Howard]

This is how Detroit became Detroit.

[Terry Mross]

They might as well go somewhere else. They sure don’t teach.

[wayoverthehill]

I’m permanent part time for the county tax-assessor’s office. 25 hours a week. Still leaves time for shopping and dr. appointments. I like it though - keeps my mind sharp.