The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) 2019 capital budget is an inequitable, political budget which was crafted with no planning or proper input from parents, teachers, students and stakeholders.
The Mayor Emanuel controlled CPS proposes to build unnecessary schools in neighborhoods that don’t need any new construction because the schools are not overcrowded.
For example, a new open enrollment high school is proposed for the near Westside. Crane Medical Prep is nearby and has plenty of space and is in need of work on its heating and cooling systems.
WBEZ ran a story about how inequitable the capital plan is to both the West and South sides of Chicago.
The West and South sides are in need of investment in developing human capital. Organizations such as the Westside Branch of the NAACP have lobbied for robust vocational training programs to serve students during the day and adults during the evening; yet, CPS is proposing a building trades program at Prosser that will be inaccessible to the Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park communities.
The advanced manufacturing program at Austin College and Career Academy (ACCA) is losing its U.S. Department of Labor funding and there is no indication in CPS budget that this successful program will be funded fully by CPS.
In conclusion, the CPS budget is a political budget designed to appeal to all constituents except the black community. Please phone your elected official and voice your concerns.
— Dewayne Truss,
candidate for 29th Ward alderman
