Chicago schools to add more gym and arts classes

CHICAGO (AP) - Officials with Chicago Public Schools say the district is hiring more arts and physical education teachers citywide.

In a news release Tuesday, city officials said the district will use $21.5 million in surplus tax increment financing funds over the next two years. The money will go to fund positions for 168 full time teachers in the nation’s third-largest school district. That’s 84 art teachers and 84 physical education teachers.

The announcement comes a week after the district said it would require students to have daily physical education.

CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett says arts and physical education are important to a child’s ability to learn and grow.

Roughly 400,000 students attend Chicago Public Schools.