The head of the Chicago Public Schools says the district will lay off some of its central office staff today.
District CEO Forrest Claypool's statement came a day after top Illinois Republicans called for a state takeover of the financially troubled school district.
The district has a nearly $1 billion budget deficit that could lead to thousands of teacher layoffs and a strike.
Claypool did not say how many people, including administrative staff, would be laid off, but teachers are not expected to be among them.
Claypool says district officials will continue to work with the Chicago Teachers Union and the state to find a solution to the budget crisis.
He also said the layoffs are an effort to “prevent cuts from reaching our classroom doors.''
