More than 1,450 staff at schools were laid off Friday. Budget documents posted online indicate the school-based workforce could shrink by more than 450 positions.

CPS owes teachers retroactive raises for last school year and could be making more school-based cuts this month as it works to close a gaping deficit.

The proposed changes are aimed at providing more students the opportunity to move up a grade or take accelerated classes. Officials say internal data show most acceleration applicants come from the north side of the city, which is wealthier and whiter than other parts of Chicago.

People who took the community input survey said they want the next leader of Chicago schools to prioritize high-quality instruction, safety, and communication. The partly-elected school board is also requiring the next leader to hold a superintendent’s license.

Reductions target crossing guards and central-office employees. Trimming a $734 million deficit would require bigger moves.

With a new interim CEO, the school district must close a $529 million deficit

Pedro Martinez amended his lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Education for firing him without cause to seek damages from the teachers union and its president Stacy Davis Gates, alleging they waged a “demonization campaign” against him.

Mayor Brandon Johnson first appointed Thomas to the board last fall after the previous board resigned en masse.

In a close vote, the board voted to appoint King, despite concerns by some members over her record.

The program started in seven Chicago schools in 2019. Today, it’s expanded to about 400 schools.