It wasn’t until 48 hours before Jones students returned to school that librarian Francis Feeley knew if he had his job back. 

“I woke up after a little cat nap, I grabbed my phone, there were two letters in my email, and it took me a couple of minutes to determine that this was really happening,” Feeley said.

In May, Chicago Public School’s CEO Macquline King proposed a $9.88 billion budget plan with $732 million in spending reductions. The Central Office told Principal Kerry Dolan to cut six teachers.

Later in the summer, the Chicago Board of Education, under pressure from the Chicago Teachers Union, rejected CEO King’s proposed budget and passed an amended budget on July 30 that added $150 million in assumed funding from the state. School leaders in CPS were then given the opportunity to bring many of the laid off teachers back.

Without an actual librarian to facilitate the space, the library doors almost stayed closed. But if state lawmakers fail to deliver the promised funding, reversed layoffs like Feeley’s could be back on the chopping block. 

“I’m going to just have to put my trust in the Chicago Teachers Union, and we’ll tackle that second semester when we get that far,” Feeley said. 

This summer, the Jones administration navigated a chaotic budget that threatens to plunge schools citywide into instability. 

Departments will be without department chairs this year due to the budget not allowing them to have an extra prep period. Department chairs need this prep period in order to streamline course teams and meet with department members, English teacher and former chair Paul Anderson said.

“My primary job is a teacher and to teach my students in the most effective way possible,” Anderson said. “My focus had to shift to making sure that I did right by my students, as well as making sure that I’m doing right by myself, my own mental health and my family.”

Anderson said he hopes the budget stabilizes next year so department chairs can return.

“Departments should have clear leadership, but I also understand the fiscal realities we find ourselves in,” Anderson said. “There’s value in having folks that can implement a vision.”

The orchestra classes started the year off without a true orchestra teacher. The orchestra director’s position was closed after the former teacher retired at the end of last year. Michael Block, the band teacher, temporarily took over the classes, since music licenses in Illinois cover all specialities. 

Students and parents advocated to reopen the position and bring in a new part time teacher specialized in orchestra. Dolan tested out candidates in orchestra classes during the first week, and this week hired Terry Khuu to teach all levels of orchestra and fill the hole that was left, senior Iain Blair, a member of advanced orchestra, said.

“He seems to be open to revitalizing and taking up the reins of orchestra, and getting it to go well,” Blair said.

Other departments at Jones have escaped the budget’s wrath. The athletic department collects its funding through the $225 fee student athletes pay, Friends of Jones grants and fundraising from the Jones Athletic Booster Association, athletic director David Gilmer said. 

The theater department will also see little to no decreases, Dolan said.

“Those are all allocated through internal accounts, which come from student fees,” Dolan said. “While we may have to make some decreases, overarchingly, there shouldn’t be significant impacts felt.”

Gilmer is confident the school will have to continue to find new creative ways to promote fundraising. 

“We’re lucky to have families who can help, not just in terms of dollars, but also the time,” Gilmer said. “A big goal of mine in athletics is trying to build and grow a sense of school pride, because I think when students, families, community members and teachers all feel really proud to be here, that’s where we can see things like fundraising really take off.”

Jones will continue to have to navigate through the uncertainty of the CPS budget for the foreseeable future. But through everything that has unfolded, Feeley said he is grateful to be restored.

“I’ve had great experiences for quite a number of years,” Feeley said. “I have a little bit left in me here, so I’ll do the best I can.”