CPS Standoff Continues

Chicago Public Schools officials and union negotiators have failed to reach agreement on a new budget for the coming year. The union refused to make concessions on teacher salaries, noting that even if they gave up a contractually obligated 4 percent raise this year year the school board could not promise that there would be no layoffs.

The federal jobs bill, signed earlier today by President Obama, seems to have made negotiations more complicated, rather than simpler. The bill is expected to provide about $105 million which must be spent on teacher salaries and may not be used to fill other holes in the CPS budget. About 1,200 jobs are currently on the chopping block.