catalyst-chicago.org

As the city shifts preschool seats to better programs in needier areas, at least nine community agencies that are losing their funding say they will likely be forced to replace their state-certified preschool teachers with child care staff who hold lesser credentials--associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees without teaching licenses, or no degrees at all.

Jadine Chou, chief of security and safety for Chicago Public Schools, told the Sun-Times Monday that she is working closely with police to design safe routes for students whose elementary schools are slated for closing.