Chicago Public Schools’ crossing guard staff were cut by 15% Friday as the district announced sweeping layoffs in an effort to fill a projected $734 million budget shortfall.
District officials said 161 employees in various positions were laid off and 209 vacant jobs would not be filled in what they described as a “careful and strategic approach to reduce spending while minimizing the impact on classrooms.”
Nearly all of the 87 members of SEIU Local 73 who were let go were crossing guards, officials said. Another 24 vacant crossing guard positions were closed.
Seven Chicago Teachers Union members were also laid off, with 19 open jobs eliminated. And 67 central office and network offices employees were laid off, with 166 positions across those offices closed, officials said.
