Union leaders, board members decry Chicago Public Schools cuts

May 14, 2026 - 05:51

Union leaders and school board members are pushing back against Chicago Public Schools' latest budget proposal, which they say will slash teaching positions across the district. The criticism comes from both the Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, who argue the cuts will hurt classroom instruction and increase class sizes.

At a recent meeting, board members joined union representatives in voicing concerns that the reductions target core academic roles rather than administrative overhead. Some board members noted that the proposed cuts could undermine recent gains in student support services, especially in underfunded neighborhoods. The district's financial challenges stem from expiring federal pandemic aid and rising pension costs, but critics say the plan lacks transparency about where the money will go instead.

One principal described the situation as a "direct hit" on schools already struggling with staffing shortages. The union has called for a public hearing before any final vote, demanding that CPS release a detailed breakdown of how the cuts would affect individual schools. Meanwhile, district officials maintain that the budget is necessary to close a projected deficit and that some positions may be restored through attrition or reallocation. The debate is expected to intensify as the school board prepares to vote on the final budget next month.