Community Urges Board to Reconsider Teacher Cuts

By Andrea Arens

A little less than a dozen students, parents, and community members addressed the Peotone School Board this week, urging district leaders to reconsider the elimination of a second-year high school choir teacher, along with other teachers, as part of a district-wide reduction in force (RIF).

The RIF eliminates 19.5 positions across the district and affects eight teachers without tenure. District officials stated the decision to notify staff early was made to provide impacted employees with sufficient time to prepare for the job search process.

While the choir position is being eliminated, administrators confirmed that the choir program, including show choir and related extracurricular activities, will continue. Instruction will be reassigned to an art and music teacher currently serving at the Peotone Intermediate Center.

Union President Larry DeWeese, an elementary school music teacher, spoke critically of the decision, citing concerns over program stability and district priorities. DeWeese noted that two teachers who were honored with the district’s “Go Big Blue” achievement award earlier in the evening are also among those being let go through the RIF.

DeWeese further stated that student enrollment has not declined since the previous school year, despite the district hiring additional teachers during that same time period. As a result of the reductions, the Peotone Intermediate Center will experience a 60% decrease in art and music instruction, shifting from a five-day program to a two-day program.

“These types of reductions damage the district’s reputation,” DeWeese said, adding that, in his view, no music teachers needed to be cut to meet the district’s financial goals.

Students also voiced concern about the impact on the music program. High school student Taylor Zdzinicki told the board that removing the choir teacher creates instability that directly affects students’ educational experience and engagement.

Parent Darcy Campos echoed those concerns, stating that the elimination of the choir teacher “affects much more than the initial cost savings.” Campos warned that inconsistent staffing could lead to declining participation, gradual erosion of the program, and increased difficulty sustaining music offerings long-term.

“Rebuilding a program is far more costly than maintaining the current teacher,” Campos said.

Board member Mark Jones responded to the public comments by stating the board did not take the decisions lightly and approached the process with humility.

Despite the objections raised during public comment, the board unanimously approved the reduction in force report and associated staff reassignments without further discussion.