New CPS layoffs announced

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Public Schools announced a new round of layoffs Monday, affecting 140 teachers and 109 support personnel.

The announcement comes only about a week before teachers said they will strike if a contract deal isn't reached.

The cuts were expected after schools received their budgets last week. Because funding is based on enrollment numbers, CPS said many schools fell below projections.

The district lost almost 14,000 students this year.

On Monday, the Chicago Teachers Union released a statement that said, "Today's cuts are the latest round of attacks on children and are pushing educators closer to Chicago's third school strike in four years."

"It is a big inconvenience because the kids just started school and they just started learning. They're in the swing of things and getting everything prepared for the new coming year," said CPS parent Tamika Jackson.

"None of the parents in my little group have talked about it. I think they are really hoping everybody can works things out and won't have to strike," said CPS parent Oletta Davis.

Parents and grandparents are hopeful that a strike will be avoided but know with a strike date a just week away that they must make plans in advance.

"They'll be fine with for Monday and Tuesday because I'm off, but Wednesday, Thursday and Friday is going to be between the parents and the other set of grandparents," said CPS grandparent Sherri Reed.

"I'm one of the fortunate ones. My mom is retired, so she'll be able to keep my daughter. If I didn't have my mom, I don't know what I would do," said Davis.

But for those without family options, various organizations, like all the city's YMCA's are gearing up for a possible strike.

The Southside YMCA is currently registering members for their School Days Out program. On Wednesday it will open the program up for non-members.

"When CPS is closed, the YMCA is open. So we are ready for this," said Angelic Graves, the Executive Director of Southside YMCA. "We offer arts and crafts, we offer swimming and there will be some sports times. So different curriculums for different communities, but that's the general idea of what we offer."

CPS is working on a contingency plan that will be similar to the plan implemented four years ago. Various schools and park district facilities will be open and staffed for CPS students. CPS is expected to release the plan late Monday or Tuesday.