2 days ago
CPS lays off 161, eliminates 209 positions to plug budget hole
In a cost-cutting move to plug a $734 million shortfall, Chicago Public Schools officials on Friday said they laid off dozens of workers in its central office and citywide staff.
In all, CPS laid off 161 employees, according to district officials.
The cuts come after interim schools chief Macquline King told the Chicago Board of Education at a meeting Thursday that the district faces a budget deficit $201 million more than officials previously cited. Though the budget is typically released in June, district officials have yet to finalize a spending plan — or say how they plan to address the now $730 million shortfall.
Before Thursday's meeting, the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Local 73, which represents public service workers in schools, held a news conference urging district officials to prevent additional cuts. Under the blazing sun, scores of parents, teachers, and school staff gathered holding signs and wearing union T-shirts.
Among those impacted by the layoffs were 87 members of SEIU Local 73, among nearly all of whom were crossing guards, district officials said. Seven Chicago Teachers Union employees were also impacted.
'CPS children cannot afford to lose the care and resources union members have fought so hard to obtain since the pandemic,' SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer said in a news release Thursday.
Officials also eliminated 209 open positions across the offices
'Chicago Public Schools remains committed to using every available dollar to support student learning and school communities, despite the district's ongoing and well-documented funding challenges,' district officials said in a statement. 'In continuing preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, CPS is taking a careful and strategic approach to reduce spending while minimizing the impact on classrooms.'
Officials said that over the past several months, while under the leadership of previous CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, the district's talent team has been 'working closely with the Budget Office and department leaders to take a thoughtful look at how we operate.' Together, they've been 'identifying ways to be more efficient and find cost savings across our central offices and administrative functions,' officials said.
Employees affected by the central office actions were notified Friday, officials said. Union partners were notified earlier this week.
Officials said the district 'acknowledges the thoughtful and difficult work undertaken by teams across the organization to ensure these decisions have the least possible impact on students.'
SEIU Local 73 in its release called on the city and the Chicago Board of Education to 'urgently explore other alternatives that will not directly harm these students' education.'
Meanwhile, district officials stated the district remains 'focused on transparency and fiscal responsibility and will continue to work closely with city leaders, labor partners, and community stakeholders to address the long-standing structural underfunding of public education in Chicago,' adding that ensuring 'students receive the high-quality education they deserve remains the District's top priority.'
