September 27, 2024 (blockclubchicago.org) – [Chicago Public Schools] has a $1.3 million, four-year contract with Chicago Debates, agreeing to cover up to $390,000 in expenses for fiscal year 2025, documents show. That includes costs such as equipment, paying debate judges, recruiting and training volunteers, tournament prep and running the summer camp, according to the contract.
The district also covers transportation, supplies and food costs for participating schools, [Chicago Debates Executive Director Anthony] Bolden said.
But CPS officials told nonprofit leaders in July they’d only get $208,000 to cover this year’s expenses. Officials cited a part of the contract saying CPS can terminate an agreement “in the event no funds or insufficient funds are appropriated and budgeted … by the board,” Bolden said.
CPS also is cutting the funding it gives schools to participate, slashing $450,000 out of that budget.
“So with everything, we’re looking at over $600,000 [in budget cuts]. It’s pretty tough,” Bolden said.
The cuts mean Chicago Debates may have to let go of staff and reduce programs it offers to students and schools. Nearly 1,500 students across the 104 schools participated last year.
This year, the number of schools is down to 69 and could drop even lower if Chicago Debates can’t fill the six-figure hole left in the wake of the district’s budget cuts.
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