Chicago Public Schools officials announced plans to cut jobs and increase class sizes for the 2026-27 school year as the district faces a projected $732.5 million budget deficit, according to WGN News. District leaders say the difficult decisions come as CPS continues dealing with declining enrollment, rising operational costs, and the loss of federal pandemic relief funding.
According to preliminary budget plans, CPS will reduce teaching positions across schools while adjusting staffing formulas that determine how many teachers schools receive based on enrollment. Reports indicate the district plans to slightly raise student-to-teacher ratios, meaning some classrooms could see more students next school year.
Officials say teacher losses will reportedly be capped at four positions per elementary school and six positions per high school. Some smaller schools may also lose funding for assistant principal positions as CPS attempts to close the massive financial gap.
District leaders argue the changes are necessary to maintain long-term financial stability while continuing to support students and essential programs. CPS has also pointed to years of declining student enrollment as a major factor behind the staffing adjustments.
The announcement has already sparked concern among educators, parents, and community advocates who fear the cuts could negatively impact classroom learning, student support services, and overall school resources. The Chicago Teachers Union and members of the Chicago Board of Education are expected to continue pushing for answers as budget discussions move forward.
CPS officials say more details regarding staffing allocations and school-level impacts will be released in the coming weeks as the district finalizes its budget plans ahead of the next academic year.
The proposed cuts are expected to remain a major topic of debate across Chicago as families and educators weigh the potential impact on students throughout the city.
