Philadelphia and Chicago School Boards Grapple with Budget Cuts and School Closures

Philadelphia City Council members urged the Philadelphia Board of Education to revisit its Facilities Master Plan, which proposes closing 17 schools. Councilmembers called for additional audits of district spending and revisions to the plan, arguing that the closures would disrupt students and communities just weeks before the new school year.

In Chicago, the Board of Education is preparing to vote on an almost $10 billion budget amid disputes over funding assumptions and potential layoffs. Milwaukee Public Schools announced a hiring event to recruit displaced Chicago Public Schools teachers, aiming to fill about 350 vacancies as Chicago faces possible staff reductions. The Chicago budget debate includes proposals to hire more special‑education teachers and concerns about the reliance on additional tax‑increment financing.