Chicago Public Schools laid off 162 central office and citywide staff last week, the district’s latest move to help close its $732 million deficit.
The layoffs are projected to save the district $18 million, a CPS spokesperson said Monday. The district did not specify which positions were impacted, but said the staff worked across more than a dozen offices.
Officials plan to unveil the district’s proposed budget later this week, which is expected to outline additional spending cuts. CPS already released school-level budgets in May with cuts to teaching staff and funding for assistant principals at schools with fewer than 250 students.
District leaders have stressed that they are prioritizing cuts that don’t directly impact the classroom. But that has become more difficult as officials continue to trim department budgets. Last year, CPS cut non-school-based expenses by $272 million. This year, officials have proposed cutting at least another $105 million.
“These decisions do not reflect the value of their service,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Rather, they reflect the District’s responsibility to address significant fiscal challenges while preserving investments that most directly support students.”
The affected offices include the district’s Talent Office, Information Technology Services, the Department of Principal Quality, the Office of School Counseling, Procurement, the Office of Student Health and Wellness, Real Estate and the Office of Sports Administration.
SEIU Local 73 represented 38 of the laid-off workers and the Chicago Teachers Union represented 25. Neither union immediately responded to a request for comment.
The district’s budget is under pressure from billions in long-term debt, aging buildings and underfunding from the state. This is the second consecutive year of central office layoffs. Last year, CPS cut 161 central office and citywide positions.