Chicago school board delays $5.5 million

The Chicago Board of Education has postponed a vote on a controversial proposal to provide an estimated $5.5 million in additional funding to Chicago Arts High School. This marks the second delay for the plan, which would come on top of $5.7 million already budgeted for the school's transition from private to district management.

Board member Michilla Blaise, who authored the funding resolution, moved to table it until the board's September 10 meeting. She cited ongoing conversations with district officials. The district itself estimates the cost of the proposed staffing additions at $5.5 million.

Fiscal context and opposition

The push for more money occurs during a period of intense fiscal stress for the deficit-plagued district. Superintendent Macquline King has voiced strong opposition. In an internal memo obtained by Chalkbeat, King stated that Chicago Public Schools had already fulfilled its promise to preserve the school's conservatory model "to the greatest extent practicable."

King urged board members to consider the substantial resources already devoted to absorbing other schools. These include more than $13 million for five Acero charter network campuses and millions more for the now-defunct EPIC Academy High School and the ASPIRA charter network.

Critics argue the extra funding would be unfair. Joe Ferguson, head of the Civic Federation, called it the "worst kind of Chicago parochialism" in an open letter. He warned that siphoning money from other schools would set a dangerous precedent.

The debate over resources

Supporters say the extra $5.5 million is necessary to more fully preserve the school's unique conservatory model, where students receive hours of daily training from professional artists. They argue it would be a one-year bridge while the school cultivates philanthropic backing.

The financial stakes are high. The school's total budget for the 2026-27 year is $14.4 million. The additional funding would increase per-pupil spending to almost $40,000. The district average is about $20,000.

Superintendent King provided context on arts funding across the district. She noted that other arts high schools received an average of $53,000 for their arts programming this year.

Board member Che "Rhymefest" Smith opposed the funding increase. He said many schools in his South Side district had received no additional arts funding. Arguing for one favored program to the detriment of others "borders on corruption," he said. Board President Sean Harden censured him for that comment.

Blaise defended the proposal. She called the idea that it would harm other campuses "preposterous." She noted the school's students are predominantly Latino and Black and come from across Chicago. "The narrative that this is some kind of specialty program for rich white kids is completely false," Blaise said.

Transition challenges

District officials highlighted the challenges of the transition. King called it a "herculean effort." The school's nine-hour day was shortened by 50 minutes under the district's existing plan, though CPS said it remains longer than many comparable national schools.

The district created 20 positions for resident artists, who could eventually be shared with other campuses. The school will now offer eight Advanced Placement classes and online courses for about 200 students not on track to graduate.

Preliminary enrollment this week is down almost 40 students to about 500, a decrease officials said is in line with districtwide trends.