CPS Overestimates Cost to Keep Trumbull Open

Closing 54 schools—one located in nearby Andersonville—will not save as much money as originally projected, according to new reports.

When Chicago Public Schools announced officials estimated $560 million in savings from avoiding repairs and upgrades for the shuttered buildings. 

The savings, realized over 10 years, would dent a nearly $1 billion deficit for the 2013-2014 school year, CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett said.

But now, CPS officials say they’ve overestimated the savings by 20 percent. Closing schools will save about $437.8 million, $122 million less than predicted, WBEZ reports. 

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The public radio station’s reporters caught the correction in a 457-page facilities plan for the district. CPS officials call the revision an “honest mistake,” with addition and assessment errors. 

Parents and supporters of the schools slated for closure have been saying the savings are overestimated since March. At a public hearing for Andersonville’s Trumbull elementary, Ward 40 Ald. Patrick O’Connor said the district’s estimate to fix the building was “significantly higher” than what is actually needed. 

CPS officials said the building would require a $16.3 million investment to maintain and bring up to code.

A top-of-the-line school would cost that much, but for basic maintenance, the district would only need to spend $4 million, O’Connor said. The alderman advocated to keep the school open and was the first speaker at the April 9 meeting. 

CPS officials revised Trumbull’s capital improvement cost, knocking the figure down to $10.99 million, according to WBEZ.

The Board of Education will vote May 22 on a final list of schools to close.