Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has laid off 161 employees in a move anticipated to precede more budget cuts worth addressing a staggering $734 million deficit.
Included in the layoffs are 87 members from SEIU Local 73, predominantly crossing guards, 67 employees from central and network offices, and seven individuals represented by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).
The district confirmed these layoffs to Chalkbeat Chicago, emphasizing their significant impact.
In addition to the layoffs, CPS will not pursue filling over 200 vacant positions, which encompasses 166 in the central office, 19 relating to the CTU, and 24 crossing guard roles.
Though CPS officials have not disclosed how much money will be saved from the recent layoffs, they did not elaborate on the operational challenges expected with fewer crossing guards.
According to CPS spokesperson Sylvia Barragan, the layoffs primarily affect individuals who work across the city or in central offices and are not assigned directly to schools.
Barragan noted that previous district CEO Pedro Martinez had begun to look for efficiencies in the district’s central offices and administrative functions, alongside cutting expenses like certain contractual services to mitigate impacts on school environments.
However, the district plans further
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