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A recent report from the Office of Inspector General for Chicago Public Schools revealed alarming spending on travel, totaling $14.5 million in what they classified as excessive expenses for the fiscal years 2023 and 2024 combined.
Data accompanying the report paints a troubling picture, showing that only 30.5% of students in grades three through eight read at grade level, while just 18.3% demonstrate proficiency in math as of spring 2024.
Chicago pastor Corey Brooks expressed his disappointment, commenting that the expenditure reflects the failure of leadership in the educational system. He stated, “It is a sad commentary on just how far our city has fallen and how bad the leadership is. These individuals believe that spending money on themselves benefits our educational system more than investing it in the children who truly deserve it.”
With reading proficiency in his neighborhood pegged at a dismal 6%, Brooks emphasized the disparity in educational achievement, pointing out that the overall proficiency for the city remains low.
Excessive Travel Costs and Academic Decline
The report highlighted a staggering increase in travel costs for CPS, marking a 2,467% jump from FY 2021’s $300,000 to $7.7 million in FY 2024 alone. In stark contrast, pre-pandemic spending in FY 2019 was just $3.6 million.
Luxury Trips Cited
Officials from CPS reportedly indulged in trips to extravagant destinations including Las Vegas, Egypt, Finland, and South Africa, raising concerns among community leaders about prioritizing travel over educational needs.
Furthermore, proficiency statistics continue to paint a dire picture, with only 22.4% of CPS 11th graders meeting reading standards based on SAT scores, a state requirement. In math, the proficiency level stood even lower at 18.6%.
Corey DeAngelis, the Executive Director of the Educational Freedom Institute, criticized the school system, calling it a “complete dumpster fire” and indicating that government-run institutions are failing to provide essential opportunities for children.
High Spending with Few Results
Despite allocating around $30,000 annually for each student, many of them still fall short of reading proficiency. DeAngelis underscored that the public school system resembles a bottomless pit, continuously consuming taxpayer dollars while demanding more funding.
Compounding the educational challenges is chronic absenteeism, which has also become a pressing issue in Chicago schools. If a student misses 10% or more of school days, they are classified as a chronic absentee.
Significant Absenteeism Rates
In 2024, 40.8% of CPS students were identified as chronic absentees, raising alarms about student engagement and commitment to education.
Brooks criticized the lack of attention to this issue, stating, “These young children aren’t even going to school now, and you never hear about it. No one ever talks about it.” He pointed out that children who struggle with reading may become disenchanted with education, leading to further disengagement.
Barriers to Educational Success
Brooks elaborated on the challenges faced by students, mentioning that many children in grades three to six cannot read adequately. He attributed part of the dilemma to inadequate parental involvement, claiming that children are allowed to opt out of education, leading them to feel disinterested in learning.
In response to the mounting criticism, CPS acknowledged the issues related to travel expenses. The district recently established a committee to examine travel costs, which became active on October 29, 2023. Officials indicated that they are working to restrict nearly all employee travel moving forward.
A spokesperson for CPS assured that protocols regarding travel expense management and transparency would improve with the anticipated rollout of a new Enterprise Resource Planning financial system, designed to automate processes and improve oversight.
Ongoing Commitment to Improvement
Despite the growing challenges, CPS representatives affirmed their dedication to addressing the findings presented by the Office of the Inspector General. They emphasized their commitment to ensuring that all district policies uphold the highest ethical standards and focus on benefiting students.
In discussions about the deteriorating educational landscape, Brooks lamented that city and state leaders often neglect the needs of public schools. He pointed out a troubling trend where officials send their children to elite private institutions while students in struggling neighborhoods continue to face educational barriers.
“[They] are looking at their own interests, not the interest of their children, while our public school students suffer,” Brooks asserted. “That’s fundamentally wrong.”
The situation in Chicago Public Schools remains complex, with rampant spending juxtaposed against disappointing academic outcomes. As community members advocate for change, the focus on improving educational opportunities for all remains critical.
