Chicago Schools May Share Teachers To Make Ends Meet
(CBS) – Sharing teachers and up to 40 students in a class? It may be more than a threat.
Monday, Chicago Public Schools principals warned parents: Be prepared.
The Dia Del Nino festival is an 18-year tradition at Inter-American Grade School. But this year, for the first time instead of the school covering the $6,000 cost, boosters have had to raise the money.
This comes as CPS has cut some school budgets as much as 39 percent.
"The biggest impact at the end of the day is on children," Nate Pietrini, principal of Hawthorne Scholastic Academy, says.
A 39 percent cut means some $950,000 out his budget.
"It would mean lost positions. We couldn't fundraise to fill that hole," he says.
According to some principals, CPS is suggesting the schools share teachers. Those who teach art, music or gym would travel between two or three schools.
Class sizes are also expected to rise, from an average of 32 to a high of 40.
"I know I can handle it. I can't imagine being a first year teacher or a second year teacher," says Hawthorne teacher Ryan Streit.
Principals are also fear losing teachers to other professions and parents to private or suburban schools.
"I certainly understand that what lies ahead is unprecedented," Pietrini says.