Harlem School District Approves 120 Job Cuts

Harlem School District in Illinois is set to cut 120 jobs as part of changes to its special education programs. The plan was approved by the school board in a unanimous decision Monday.

The changes will result in the termination of 58 paraprofessional positions and 18 certified special educators.  Though it will save the district $460,061, Superintendent Julie Morris told the Rockford Register Star the cuts were not made to save money.

“I don’t want people to focus on that being our rationale for this change; it is strictly a programmatic change based on best practice and research-based practices,” Morris told the paper.

The job cuts will be based on seniority and will take place this fall.