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United States News Title: Massive layoffs to hit Elgin school district (26% lose job) Massive layoffs to hit Elgin school district Steve Miller Reporting ELGIN, Ill. (WBBM) -- The board of Elgin School District U-46 voted unanimously Monday night to cut more than a thousandjobs including 732 teachers. A packed crowd pleaded with the board to keep valuable teachers and staff but the district is faced with a more than $44 million deficit. The layoffs will cut some $30 million in spending. Elgin school officials told the crowd to blame the cuts on the state that isn't paying its bills -- and could cut even more from education under Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget plan. School Superintendent Dr. Jose Torres said the decision was agonizing. "People say you feel it in different parts of your body. My stomach is in knots tonight," said Torres. The district is cutting more positions than necessary to pad itself against potential state funding cuts. It plans to recall employees if the funding picture improves. The cuts breakd own to 732 teachers, 106 secretarial postilions, 121 education assistants, 43 transportation workers, 21 custodians and 24 administrators. 21 food service employees were spared for now. The Elgin Teachers Union's contract is up in August. Union President Tim Davis would not say if the 2,500 member union would take a pay cut in order to save jobs. District U-46 serves 41,000 students It serves portions of 11 communities in the northwest suburbs of Chicago in Cook, DuPage and Kane Counties. Major layoffs have been announced in the Elgin School District U-46. Elgin school officials have announced over 1,000 layoffs tonight at a school board meeting. But not just teachers. Hundreds of other school employees as well. Tony Sanders is the spokesman for School District U-46, which includes Elgin and Bartlett, and he says the state money just isn't there to help the district. "This will not be an easy meeting. It'll be very emotional. I expect many employees and many community members to come out to share how these reductions will impact their school." Sanders says the school district is looking at increased class size and closing an Early Childhood center. "There will be many things that will be on this list," Sanders says, "that will hurt students for years to come." Among the Elgin teachers reportedly getting layoff notices: Carolyn Gilbert, who lost an eye when a student stabbed her two years ago. Announced Layoffs Category # layoffs / total in force Percent laid off Teachers 732 / 2500 28 percent Bus Drivers 54 / 239 23 percent Teachers Aides 121 / 398 30 percent Secretaries and Clerical Aides 106 / 256 41 percent Administrators 24 / 134 18 percent Food Service 21 / 122 17 percent Custodians, Maintenance and Grounds 21 / ??? TOTAL 1,079 LAYOFFS 26 PERCENT Note: District U-46 Spokesman Tony Sanders says that last year, there was a larger reduction in administrators.
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