Union: Special ed, arts hit hard by CPS cuts

A union representing Chicago’s public school teachers says nearly 15 percent of educators who are being laid off teach special education, while another 9 percent teach art and music.

The Chicago Teachers Union told The Chicago Sun-Times that 250 special education teachers and 75 bilingual teachers are among the 1,700 educators whose jobs are being cut. Another 159 teach music, visual and performing arts.

CTU staff coordinator Jackson Potter says the layoffs will affect “a huge layer of students that transcends geography, race and class.”

But officials with Chicago Public Schools say those numbers are inflated.

They say about 200 special ed and bilingual teachers are losing their jobs.

Last month, the district dismissed about 2,100 teachers and support staff. Another 850 employees were laid off in June.