School’s out for summer, so we’re looking back on the big stories we found in Chicago and suburban school districts during the 2014/2015 year.
June 2015 | CPS Class Sizes Pushed Beyond Limits
A huge number of Chicago Public Schools classrooms are overcrowded – and with mounting financial problems, the situation could get worse.
June 2015 | BGA/WBEZ Report on CPS Prompts Probe, Reforms
After the Better Government Association and WBEZ find the Chicago Public Schools graduation rate has been inflated, the agency inspector general launches an investigation and CPS officials pledge changes.
June 2015 | CPS’ Fuzzy Math—Mayor Touts Bogus Graduation Rate
Mayor Emanuel has bragged about the Chicago Public Schools graduation rate improving. But records show his numbers are inflated. Is CPS cooking the books?
April 2015 | Game of (Pension) Pick-Up in Public Schools
Many Chicago-area school systems cover pension contributions for teachers and administrators – a little known and, for taxpayers, potentially costly benefit.
March 2015 | Suburban School Official Sent to Prison For Theft
A guilty plea and prison term follow investigations by the Better Government Association into irregular finances at the Lyons Township School Treasurer’s office.
December 2014 | Cracking the Code on School Lunches at CPS
Trying to find out nutritional information – including fat, calorie and salt content – on cafeteria offerings at Chicago Public Schools is no easy task.
October 2014 | Indicted Attorney Weighs Suburban School Board Run
A parent in the Schiller Park elementary district, charged with felony theft and official misconduct, may run for a seat on the board of education. But this isn’t the only flap in the public school system.
October 2014 | Public Schools Increasingly Charge Fees to Students
With finances tight in many districts, thanks in part to the state’s dire financial condition, many public schools are implementing fees to collect more revenue.
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