Lincoln-Way District 210 Eliminates 18 Teachers

Eighteen teachers in Lincoln-Way District 210 will not be returning next year, the Board of Education solemnly announced Thursday night. 

Full-time and part-time teachers from various departments, along with permanent substitutes were among those cut. Several of the teachers—from the art department—are part of a reduction in force in response to a drop in enrollment. 

Four art teachers will remain.

"It's not about cost reduction," said Superintendent Scott Tingley. "You've got to have classes for the teachers to teach."

Enrollment in art courses has been slipping steadily over the last three years, he said. With the state's requirements of additional math and science classes, the demand for art and other electives has dropped significantly. 

The remaining art department teachers will travel between the district's four schools, to their respective classes, Tingley said. 

The move was not about cost reduction, Tingley said. The district has to focus its resources on staff for required courses. 

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