Back to Class: Chicago Public Schools Face Bus Driver Shortage and Funding Challenges

The 2024-2025 school year has begun for students at Chicago Public Schools, but the district is already facing a bus driver shortage, impacting general education students in magnet or selective programs. This issue is not new to CPS, as it was also present during the previous school year.

To address this challenge, some students will receive CTA Ventra cards, while others can be dropped off early or picked up late. However, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez remains optimistic about the district's progress in recruiting bus drivers. 'We made so much progress this year compared to the last two years,' he said. 'So, we're up almost 25% in drivers. So, we're actually routing more students than ever today.' Despite this progress, the district is still struggling with an increased number of requests for transportation.

A New Approach to School Funding

Something new at CPS this school year is a shift away from funding schools based on enrollment numbers. Instead, the district will be using a 'need and equity' model, which aims to address the disparities in resources between schools. This change was announced by Pedro Martinez during a recent interview, where he shared his own experiences as a student at a CPS school in the 1970s and 80s. He recalled not having access to art or music classes, despite being a talented artist himself.

'This year, every school will have not only teachers for physical education, but also art and music,' Martinez explained. 'And then even at a minimum, a third elective teacher. Whether that's another art or music class, a world language class, that's up to the school.' This new approach aims to provide more resources and opportunities for students across the district.

Tensions Between Martinez and Mayor Johnson

As the new school year begins, there have been reports of tensions between CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. There are rumors that the mayor wants to push out the schools CEO, but neither party has made a public statement about the matter.

Martinez addressed these concerns during an interview, emphasizing that there is still alignment between his office, City Hall, and unions regarding their overall vision for the district's future. 'We want our schools to be fully resourced,' he said. 'We're prioritizing our schools that have the highest needs.' However, he also acknowledged that funding remains a significant challenge.

Funding Shortfalls

The CPS district is facing severe funding shortfalls, with federal funding expiring this year. The district is working to negotiate a new contract with its unions and addressing these budgetary challenges. In addition, Martinez announced the implementation of parental leave for staff members, which aims to help maintain staff retention and provide more support for employees.

Impact of the Pandemic on Students

A recent study from the University of Illinois system revealed that students across the state are still recovering from the pandemic's impact on their performance levels in English and Math. The researchers found that only about one-quarter of all public school students have returned to pre-pandemic levels in English language arts, while even fewer have achieved this level in math.

High school students' test scores have consistently declined since the beginning of the pandemic, with only 15% of high school districts returning to their pre-pandemic Math performance levels. One possible reason for these disparities is absenteeism among high schoolers, which has increased significantly compared to before the pandemic. The study also found that districts with high concentrations of Black, Latino, and low-income students remain furthest from their pre-pandemic performance levels.

Conclusion

As the new school year unfolds, Chicago Public Schools face a multitude of challenges, including bus driver shortages and funding shortfalls. While progress is being made in addressing these issues, there remains much work to be done. The district's shift towards a 'need and equity' model for funding schools aims to address long-standing disparities in resources, but the road ahead will likely be rocky.

As students return to class, it is essential that they are supported with adequate resources and opportunities to succeed.