Chicago’s Public Schools Will Layoff 1,700 Positions; 1,200 teachers

Chicago’s public schools have unveiled the budget for upcoming school year. The $6.4 billion budget plan for the new school year holds some major cuts to staff at Chicago’s Public Schools. In order to account for major deficits in the budget, 1,700 positions have been cut. Among those being laid off are 1,200 teachers. The rest of the layoffs will affect custodians, clerks and teaching assistants.

Ron Huberman, the School chief, says that he is open to suggestions from the union, but that time is running out. “If there is a rabbit in their hat, where they can look at this budget, right, and produce savings and efficiencies that don’t harm students,” Huberman said. “We are of course going to look at it, but it’s August 9^th.

The layoffs are anticipated to save the school system up to $100 million.

The city’s teachers union has already filed a suit with the board with hopes that some of the layoffs will be prevented.