Our office received notification this past week of operational changes to Chicago Public Schools that will take effect during this upcoming school year as a result of recent budget reductions.
Operational Changes for the 2025-26 School Year
Building Maintenance and Cleaning
Staffing changes in custodial and engineering services will result in revised cleaning schedules and adjustments in how non-emergency maintenance requests are addressed. School staff will focus on essential repairs and maintenance in order to ensure healthy learning environments.
School Meal Service
As a result of reduced staffing, schools may experience changes in meal service. These may include simplified menus, fewer hot meal options, or cold meals being served on certain days. While CPS will maintain its current free breakfast and lunch program, the supplemental after-school meal program will transition from hot suppers to packaged snacks.
School Start Times
Next year, some schools will implement new bell schedules; this move will allow more buses to run multiple routes in the morning and afternoon, increasing capacity to transport students to and from school. Families whose bell times will change should have already received direct communications regarding the adjustment.
Crossing Guards and Safe Passage
CPS will continue to provide Safe Passage and crossing guard support. However, these services will operate with fewer staff and modified schedules. No CPS school has lost access to either program entirely; school-level details will be provided to each impacted school community individually.
Student Health Services
While reduced funding is impacting CPS’ ability to provide school-based vaccine and physical exams, CPS is working closely with health care providers and community partners to help families access these services. Visit schoolinfo.cps.edu/HealthCenters for availability and details. Parents are also encouraged to schedule medical care with a community health center by visiting findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. Despite reduced staff, the Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) will continue to support families with health information, access to resources, assistance with benefit applications, and more.
Technology
Due to the need to reduce costs, some repairs for network infrastructure may be delayed and schools may need to use their funds to pay for replacement devices.
In the coming days, schools will provide more detailed updates to each individual school community, and offer support to help navigate these transitions.
As a member of City Council, Ald. Vasquez is also working to ensure that there is good communication between CPS and the City regarding school operations. On that note, earlier this year, our office passed legislation requiring quarterly hearings of CPS in the Committee on Education and Child Development. If you are a student, teacher, or parent, we welcome you to attend those hearings to make your voice heard!