Chicago Public Schools: the layoffs begin

This afternoon Chicago Public Schools officials announced layoffs of teachers and other staff. Overall 855 school district employees will be let go: 663 employees from 49 schools that are slated for closure and another 192 staff from schools that are slated for “turnaround.” CPS currently employs 41,500 staff, including more than 23,000 teachers. While the immediate cause...

This afternoon Chicago Public Schools officials announced layoffs of teachers and other staff.

Overall 855 school district employees will be let go: 663 employees from 49 schools that are slated for closure and another 192 staff from schools that are slated for “turnaround.” CPS currently employs 41,500 staff, including more than 23,000 teachers.

While the immediate cause of these layoffs is the school restructuring plan, the Chicago Teachers Union’s shortsighted demands for pay increases also played a part. We predicted large-scale layoffs in the CPS system almost as soon as last fall’s teacher strike ended and the terms of a new contract were released.

CPS teachers have long been among the best paid in the nation, with an average salary of $76,000 at the beginning of the last school year. The current contract gives teachers raises averaging more than 17 percent over four years. The district’s finances are further strained by underfunded pensions. The end of a pension “holiday” – in which the district was allowed to skip on needed pension fund contributions – meant that CPS faced a budget deficit of $1 billion next year.

CTU’s demands only made a bad financial situation worse, forcing the district to close down more schools and lay off more teachers. Chicago teachers are obligated to pay $1,000 in union dues every year. Some of those teachers are now going to lose their jobs thanks to their union.