Chicago Public Schools To Cut 760 Teachers, Furlough Staff To Close Budget Gap

Chicago Public Schools announced plans Wednesday to lay off 760 teachers, furlough employees for five nonattendance days, and freeze spending midway through the school year as officials work to close a $732 million budget deficit before the end of August.

The proposed budget includes CPS teacher layoffs involving 760 teachers, 801 teacher aides, and 162 central office and citywide employees. Officials also plan a midyear spending freeze and five unpaid furlough days for staff during scheduled noninstructional days, including teacher training, planning, and report card pickup.

District Cites Funding Shortfall And Rising Costs

Superintendent Macquline King said the district faces growing financial pressure as enrollment declines while student needs continue to increase. She said state and federal funding have not kept pace with those demands.

“These are all impacts that are disruptive to the education of our students, the learning experience, and ultimately the academic outcomes that we’re projecting for next year,” King said.

King described the proposal, including CPS teacher layoffs, as a responsible, student-centered budget that avoids additional borrowing and rising interest costs that could further reduce classroom spending. She said the district hopes the spending freeze and furloughs can be avoided if additional funding becomes available from the city, county, or state.

The unpaid furloughs would save about $85 million, according to district officials. The Chicago Teachers Union said the move would reduce the average teacher’s salary by about $2,300, or roughly 2.3%.

Chicago Public Schools must approve a balanced budget by the end of August. The Chicago Board of Education is expected to vote on the proposal during its July 30 meeting.

Union Opposes Budget As Funding Debate Continues

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates criticized the proposal, calling it “dead on arrival” before the district officially released the budget.

“Students have had to learn in overcrowded classes, practice under unpaid coaches, and be counseled by caseworkers with loads beyond compare all year, and now CPS thinks they can plan a week of furloughs and tell the staff who serve them they don’t have a job? Please,” Gates said in a statement.

The union also requested formal bargaining over the planned layoffs and urged district leaders to pursue legal action against the Cook County treasurer’s office over delays in releasing property tax revenue used to support payroll.

District officials said most affected teachers and aides had already been informed by school principals. Formal layoff notices were scheduled to be issued on Wednesday. Officials added that many laid-off employees are typically rehired as vacancies arise through retirements and resignations.

City, State Aid Remains Uncertain

District leaders are seeking additional financial support from the city through tax increment financing, or TIF, surplus funds. CPS is counting on about $200 million in TIF revenue but estimates it would need roughly $400 million to prevent the spending freeze, furloughs, and CPS teacher layoffs.

City officials have not announced how much TIF surplus, if any, will be available this year. Last year, the city provided $550 million in one-time TIF funding that helped the district close a similar budget gap.

Education advocates, labor unions, and some school board members have also called on Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and state lawmakers to convene a special legislative session to increase education funding. State leaders have so far declined those requests.

King said she remains hopeful that additional support will emerge before the planned CPS teacher layoffs and other budget cuts take effect.

“This will require a unified call to action,” King said. “My hope is that in the next few months, we will all come together in a joint advocacy … in the service of our Chicago’s children.”

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