Illinois School District Cutting 1,037 Jobs

The Elgin School District U-46 school board in Illinois has approved a plan to cut 1,037 jobs, including 732 teachers. The cuts equate to 25 percent of the district’s staff, according to the Daily Herald.

The cuts will include all first-, second- and third-year teacher as well as some tenured teachers in various departments. School Superintendent Dr. Jose Torres said he agonized over the decision.

“People say you see it in different parts of your body. My stomach is in knots tonight,” Torres said.

In addition to 732 teachers, the cuts will also include 106 secretarial positions, 121 education assistants, 43 transportation workers, 21 custodians and 24 administrators. The district said it is cutting more jobs than necessary as protection against any additional state funding cuts.

District U-46 is the state’s second-largest school district and serves 41,000 students.