Harlem School District in Illinois is set to cut 120 jobs as part of changes to its special education programs. The plan was approved by the school board in a unanimous decision Monday.
The changes will result in the termination of 58 paraprofessional positions and 18 certified special educators. Though it will save the district $460,061, Superintendent Julie Morris told the Rockford Register Star the cuts were not made to save money.
“I don’t want people to focus on that being our rationale for this change; it is strictly a programmatic change based on best practice and research-based practices,” Morris told the paper.
The job cuts will be based on seniority and will take place this fall.