CPS holds job fairs for new, laid-off employees

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The first of three job fairs was held for Chicago Public Schools employees at Phoenix Military Academy on the West Side on Friday.

Among the attendees are some of the 950 who were laid off earlier this week who were hoping to get their jobs back.

But it comes as school districts wait for funding, a decision that has yet to be made in Springfield.

Letitia Stanford has been spending the past few years as part-time substitute teacher.

A product of CPS schools, she says, she came to the first round of Chicago Public School's career fairs to make a comeback.

"I got displaced in 2009, I was a special needs teacher," said Letitia Stanford who was interviewing for a job at the fair. "So now I'm out starting my journey again to look for a full-time position."

It's been a long journey for teachers like Letitia. Last week, CPS laid off 950 employees weeks before the first day of school.

"I think they need to bring us all back because we make a difference, we make an impact in the classrooms," said Stanford.

CPS says they hope to bring most teachers back, inviting laid-off teachers to come to one of their three career fairs. The district says it has more than 500 vacancies to fill.

"We're looking for a physical education teacher, an intermediate diverse upper learning teacher and we're also looking for a fifth grade teacher," said interviewer Carolyn Walls.

As CPS entertains prospective employees, the funding for Illinois schools is still a question mark.

Governor Bruce Rauner recently vetoed SB1, the legislation that changes the funding formula making education more equitable for every school district. Educators say this could put school funding in jeopardy.

"Approve the bill. Our children need to start their education on time. Families and children and educators need a calm starting the new school year off," said Walls.

Friday morning's fair was the first of three CPS career fairs.

There will be another at 2 p.m. also on Friday and the third one will be next Wednesday.