Today In School Funding Crisis News
By Amy Perry in News on Mar 3, 2010 10:40PM
In an effort to save money, Chicago Public Schools are cutting sophomore sports at the city's high schools, according to a memo sent to school athletic directors yesterday that the Tribune obtained. Many officials claim the memo was confusing and sent at the last minute to sophomore coaches. It stated, "Though spring sports teams can officially begin practice today, the varsity and freshman levels are the only levels of girls and boys coaches approved to begin practice at this time. The CPS system continues to carefully examine all programs before specific budgetary decisions are finalized." The CPS year began with a $500 million deficit and Chicago Public Schools chief Ron Huberman stated earlier that many programs will be cut but Tuesday was the first mention of cuts towards the sports program.
CPS isn’t the only one impacted by budget cuts; superintendents across the state are taking drastic measures to cut costs. Except when it comes to their paychecks, reports the Tribune.
The average salary and benefits of Illinois' top school executives grew 3.7 percent last year, about nine times faster than raises enjoyed by other wage earners in the Chicago metro area, according to state data. A record number of superintendents — 150 — earned $200,000 or more...The new salary information, provided by the Illinois State Board of Education, shows that the average compensation of full-time superintendents grew from $145,000 during the 2007-08 school year to $151,000 in 2008-09.
As for Huberman? He came in at 59th overall, earning around $237,000.