Union leaders and parents pressed Chicago Public Schools on July 24 over recent reductions in special-education classroom support, saying rapid implementation and limited consultation have created confusion and distress in school communities.

After the board’s opening remarks, several union officials and dozens of public commenters raised alarms about the district’s decision to reduce hundreds of paraprofessional roles that support students with disabilities. “It was an abrupt decision to lay off over 600 SECAs, AKA special education classroom assistance,” Tremaine Reeves of SEIU Local 73 said during public participation.

Nut graf: CPS leaders and union representatives disagreed about why the staff reductions were implemented and whether the changes reflected federal or state legal requirements. Interim Superintendent Dr. Pedro A. King told the board that services required in students’ IEPs will be maintained, and the district cited alignment with guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education as a rationale for staffing adjustments.

What parents and staff described: Dozens of speakers — teachers, paraeducators, principals and parents — described immediate classroom impacts and asked for rescission of the district’s staffing decisions or better transitional arrangements. Kirti Nandan, a special-education teacher, said paraprofessionals are “our frontline support” and warned that students who rely on consistent adult assistance were already experiencing learning and emotional harm when those staff are removed: “Our PSRPs are in line items. They're not numbers.” Multiple speakers described delayed communication and a lack of planning for reassignments.

District response and guidance: Dr. King repeatedly told the board she is prioritizing protection of legally required services. On the record she said, “Children that have 1 on 1 aids per their IEP, they will not be cut.” The district also said some changes were made to align school staffing with Illinois State Board of Education guidance, including cluster-classroom staffing parameters. CPS staff told the board some of the workforce changes resulted from the district’s annual budget and workforce planning process.

Unions’ request: SEIU, CTU and principal groups asked CPS to rescind the layoffs and to reopen negotiations and stakeholder conversations, arguing the changes were philosophically based rather than budget-driven. Reeves said the reductions “felt disingenuous” when announced amid broad financial pressures and that parents and advocacy groups had not been consulted before the memo was released.

Operational and legal limits: Several speakers also noted timing and process concerns: some advisory groups had not met, and parent advocacy bodies reported limited notice. Board members asked staff to compile follow-ups for affected schools; district leaders said they would provide additional clarification and commit to more engagement before further adjustments.

Ending: The board and district expect continued public pressure and additional requests for follow-up. CPS scheduled further internal review and outreach; board members asked for targeted reports on how proposed staffing changes would affect IEP implementation and classroom supports before any further districtwide action.