Big Job Cuts Coming At Chicago Public Schools

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CBS 2 confirmed Wednesday that up to 1,000 non-classroom employees will lose their jobs under a reorganization plan.

About half the layoffs will hit central office – 27 percent of employees there – in the next two weeks, while another 500 will be cut from citywide positions over the next year, spokeswoman Monique Bond told CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman.

"We do not want to cut classroom programs, teachers, or educational programs, and so in order to meet this deficit, we're going to have to make cuts somewhere," Bond said, "and the most logical place to do that without compromising or interrupting education would be from the administration."

Bond said everyone from janitors to management will be vulnerable to losing their jobs in this round of layoffs.

The pink slips will be going out in the next two weeks, Bond said.

"We've always been saying 'chop the top,'" Chicago Teachers Union president Marilyn Stewart said. "It's been a long time overdue, chopping the top of the board, getting the resources closer to the child and into the schools where it's sorely needed."

Stewart says there's been too much bureaucracy for too long.

"I think they had over 102 departments, and I think that's outrageous," she said.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman agreed there are a lot of departments at CPS.

"Part of what we've been engaged in is finding a way to greatly reduce the number of departments," he said.

Educators are also trying to streamline operations and find other way to save money.

Positions to be axed will be decided by a new executive team – many culled from the CTA and city government – introduced by Huberman on Tuesday.

"None of those individuals are being laid off because they haven't done a good job or aren't great for the district," Huberman said. "But in these very difficult times and in the reality of our current budget situation, we had to make decisions. And the decisions that we've made is that our number one priority must be the kids."

The school system is trying to make up for a $475 million shortfall, the largest in three years, the Sun-Times reported.

The team of 16 put together by Huberman – known as a performance-driven manager – is strong in business management. Four come from his former agency, CTA; three worked for Mayor Daley; two are from the police department, and seven from within CPS.

Bond told CBS 2 that the new executive team comprises two new positions – chief performance officer and deputy for performance management technology. Sarah Kremser was brought in by the CTA as performance chief, Bond said.

Some new posts require Board of Education approval, such as that of former police Deputy Supt. Michael Shields, who is now safety and security officer, Bond said.

"It's a good first start," Stewart said. "But some of these people coming in from City Hall and CTA are outside the education profession. There are a lot more MBAs than Ph.Ds."

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