District 200 board authorizes reductions to educational support staff after public pleas

The CUSD 200 Board of Education voted April 22 to adopt a resolution authorizing a reduction in force for identified educational support personnel, with the personnel actions to take effect May 28, 2026, or the last work day of the 2025–26 term, whichever is later. The motion was moved by Mr. Gerpie and seconded by Mr. Long; the roll call vote was six in favor and one opposed (Ms. Latner).

During the public‑comment period seven speakers urged the board to reconsider cuts that would reduce elementary library/LLC aides, health aides and permanent substitutes. Maria English, a parent and part‑time LLC aide, told the board that library staff manage one‑to‑one Chromebooks, troubleshoot devices and safeguard student online safety, and warned that “by adding a half‑time job on top of their existing responsibilities, you are lessening the time and effectiveness they have for keeping our children safe online.”

Rachel Jeske, a Whittier LLC aide with a master’s in library science, urged school‑by‑school consideration and cited Illinois law (105 ILCS 5/18‑8.15) as context: she said the state’s evidence‑based funding guidance suggests one full‑time aid per 300 students but does not dictate local spending priorities. Linda Dorn, an elementary health aide of 21 years, described the practical and emotional work health staff do—arranging medical and dental care, supporting multilingual families and stabilizing anxious students—urging the board to weigh those duties before finalizing cuts.

Elizabeth Tanglis, a parent and former District 200 teacher who now subs in district schools, asked the board five direct questions about proactive hiring, classroom space, growth planning, equity of cuts between administrative and student‑facing roles, and contingency protocols to avoid last‑minute reassignments. Speakers repeatedly requested that the district consider differing school enrollments rather than applying identical cuts district‑wide.

Board members acknowledged the human impact raised by speakers and described a finance‑committee review that relied on ISBE data, building‑level input and targeted givebacks across administrative and support functions. One board member framed the action as driven by fiscal realities, including inflation and revenue pressures, and emphasized the need to preserve contingency funds for unforeseen needs in 2026–27.

The approved resolution was explicit about the personnel category affected (identified educational support personnel). The board’s roll call on the motion recorded: Mr. Gerpie—Yes; Mr. Long—Yes; Ms. Latner—No; Ms. Addison—Yes; Ms. Kalovitz—Yes; Mr. Rutledge—Yes; Mr. Hamman—Yes. No amendments or substitute motions were adopted at the meeting.

What happens next: affected employees will receive formal notifications consistent with board policy and applicable law. The board and administration said they will monitor any emergent needs and retain limited contingency funding to address pressure points that may arise in the coming school year.