Teacher Layoffs In Elmhurst Schools?

ELMHURST, IL — With enrollment down at Elmhurst School District 205, a top official expects the district will reduce staffing next school year.

Enrollment dropped 3 percent this year and is only expected to edge up slightly next year. The number of students is 8,339 now, projected to rise to 8,372 next year.

If the district reduces the number of teachers at the pace of enrollment decline, it would employ 18 fewer teachers next year, down to 573. According to the Illinois Report Card, the district now has 591 teachers.

At Monday's school board meeting, Superintendent Dave Moyer said administrators are trying to figure out how many students who switched to private schools will come back to District 205 next year. Some parents chose private schools because they are conducting more in-person learning during the pandemic.

"We do anticipate some reduced staffing next year due to the projections being less than what had been predicted over the last several years," Moyer said.

He did not say whether the reductions would be made through layoffs, attrition or both.

Moyer noted the school district is expected to end up with a $5.5 million shortfall this year, which he said was unsustainable.

District officials discussed the budget situation at a meeting earlier this month.