Community members will get a chance on Tuesday to tell the Chicago Board of Education what they think about the proposed budget for Chicago Public Schools.

A pair of public hearings will be held Tuesday as school district leaders grapple with how to close a $734 million dollar budget gap.

Interim Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King has proposed a nearly $10 billion budget plan for the 2025-26 school year that does not include a high-interest short-term loan backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Former CEO Pedro Martinez refused to include such a loan in last year's budget, and was fired by the previous school board.

King's budget proposal also does not include a guaranteed reimbursement to the city to pay for pension costs for non-teaching CPS employees. The proposal would only provide that payment if the city or state provide new revenue for the district.

A parent advocacy group called Kids First Chicago has argued the city, not CPS, should be responsible for those pension payments.

The CPS budget plan also includes cuts to meal prep staff, crossing guards, janitors, and central office workers.

Families and some recently laid-off employees rallied outside CPS headquarters last week the day the budget was revealed.

The board must pass a budget by Aug. 28, which could be tricky since half of the board is half picked by the mayor, who is pushing for that high interest short term loan. The other half of the board is elected by Chicago voters.

Some other options if the district doesn't take out the loan include refinancing debt and another $126 million in administrative cuts.

With the deadline to pass the budget at the end of the month, any decision on that controversial loan will be critical to finalizing a spending plan.

The board will hold public hearing sessions on Tuesday at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

This will be a moment for parents to speak up and address the board directly now that school is in session.

We'll keep you updated on how things play out. 

• Chicago Public Schools