Dozens of school positions cut as CUSD #168 faces growing budget crisis

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

WEST FRANKFORT, Ill., (KBSI) — The Frankfort Community Unit School District No. 168 Board of Education met March 16, approving financial items and making significant staffing decisions to address a projected budget deficit.

FOX23 has received the email from an anonymous viewer regarding the March 16, 2026, meeting and the decisions discussed.

The board specifically noted it would enter closed session to discuss a range of personnel, labor and student-related matters, as outlined on the agenda under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Topics included the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline or dismissal of employees, testimony on complaints, collective bargaining, salary schedules and school safety procedures, as well as matters involving individual students.

The meeting was held at 6 p.m. in the library at Central Junior High School.

The board approved nearly $850,000 in bills and reviewed financial reports showing ongoing deficits, with projections ranging from $700,000 to $900,000 for the current fiscal year. Officials said limited reserves and high payroll costs — about 79% to 80% of revenue — have contributed to the district’s financial challenges.

Superintendent updates included a $20,000 donation to support academic recognition programs and a major maintenance concern involving a leaking boiler at the high school.

During new business, the board approved a mowing services contract, summer special education programming and other routine items.

Following a closed session, the board accepted two resignations and approved a plan to reduce staffing for the 2026-27 school year across multiple positions districtwide. Board members said the cuts were necessary to stabilize finances.

“These are extremely difficult decisions,” Board President Kevin Toney said. “We must work to put the district on more stable financial ground.”

The board also approved posting several positions for the upcoming school year and hired a high school cheerleading sponsor.

The meeting adjourned at 11:13 p.m.

Approved Staffing Reductions for 2026–2027 School Year

• District Elementary School (DES):
• Title Math
• Title Reading
• Counselor (Shared)
• Title Math Aide
• Title Reading Aide (2 positions)
• Special Education EOC Aide
• Frankfort Intermediate School (FIS):
• Title Reading (3rd/4th Grade)
• Behavior Interventionist
• 3rd Grade Section
• 5th Grade Section
• Counselor (Shared)
• Assistant Principal
• Title Reading Aide
• Special Education Program Aide (3rd/4th Grade)
• Special Education Program Aide (5th/6th Grade)
• Central Junior High School (CJHS):
• Behavior Interventionist
• Special Education (ED)
• Social Worker (Shared)
• Special Education Program Aide

Frankfort Community High School (FCHS):

• Special Education (LD)
• Driver’s Education
• Spanish Section
• Credit Recovery
• Behavior Interventionist (A.C.R.)
• English Section
• Social Worker (Shared)
• Part-Time Chaperone
• Additional Positions:
• Time-Out Monitors (FIS)
• Detention Monitors (CJHS & FCHS)
• Attendance/McKinney-Vento Liaison (District-wide)

Positions Approved to Be Posted for 2026–2027

All Schools:

• Counselor

FIS / CJHS:

• Behavior Interventionist (Grades 4–8)
• FIS:
• 6th Grade Social Science
• 6th Grade Math/English
• Title Teacher (Math/Reading, 3rd–5th Grade)

FCHS:

• Special Education (ED)
• Part-Time Spanish
• Part-Time Driver’s Education
• Credit Recovery / Behavior Interventionist (A.C.R.)
• Support Roles:
• Special Education Program Aide (FIS & FCHS)
• Special Education Supervisor / Assistant Principal (District-wide)

FOX23 reached out to district officials but have not received a response yet.