Teachers and parents at Chicago High School for the Arts voiced concern on May 20 about recent staff layoffs as the school transitions to management by Chicago Public Schools. At least 22 teachers, including Andy Paluck, were notified they would not be returning in August, raising questions about the future of ChiArts’ unique educational model.
The layoffs come amid broader budget cuts across the district and uncertainty over how many staff positions will ultimately remain under CPS oversight. The changes have left both staff and families worried about continuity in instruction and student support. Many are also concerned that nearly 60 teaching artists may not return next year.
Paluck described receiving a late-night call from incoming principal Stuart “Casey” Fuess Jr., informing him of his layoff. “For what it’s worth, it did sound like [the principal] was getting choked up, but it’s a scripted message letting you know you don’t have a job next year,” Paluck said. “Then I get two emails following up just to make sure that I’m crystal clear on the situation, so it was like a twisting of the knife. I am pretty devastated.” Natalia Rodriguez Bazzi, an ESL teacher who was also laid off, said she now risks losing a scholarship for further certification because continued employment at CPS is required: “It’s sad to know that you’re not going to be back, especially when you are not given a good reason,” Rodriguez Bazzi said.
According to union officials such as Caroline Rutherford, vice chair of the CTU charter division, these changes threaten critical programs for bilingual students: “To find a special education teacher who’s also bilingual-certified is so difficult…but Natalia was just thrown away.” The hiring process required all current teachers to reapply through interviews and classroom observations; offers were extended only after this review.
Parents say lack of information from CPS has added stress during an already uncertain time. Lisa Miranda explained her frustration: “We had a one-month honeymoon … then it’s been sustained anxiety the full year…The school year ends in three weeks and I don’t know what classes my kid can sign up for and I don’t know if any of them will be art classes.” Meanwhile, new counselors were hired externally—a move criticized by union members who valued previous counselors’ relationships with students.
District leaders plan further community engagement sessions regarding ChiArts’ transition. The ChiArts Foundation—which previously funded arts programs—will sunset next month.