For the first time in at least a decade Oak Park Elementary School District 97 will likely lay off a few teachers this year as a part of an effort to control costs in the face of a projected deficit in 2029.
The school board is likely to approve what are called reductions in force, a process in which some teachers are notified that their contracts are not being renewed for the upcoming school year. That action is expected at the March 24 school board meeting.
Although 15 to 27 positions will be eliminated, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Equity Natacia Campbell Tominov told the school board at its March 10 meeting that ultimately only three to 15 staff members will be laid off…