Administrators of a southwestern Illinois school district say financial problems have forced them to lay off or not renew the contracts of 71 employees, including more than five dozen teachers.
Cahokia School District 187's board made the move during a special meeting Monday night.
The laid-off workers include 62 teachers, two teachers' aides, a school psychologist and a social worker.
Contracts of four other teachers and another social worker weren't renewed.
The workforce reduction comes as the district plans to ask voters to approve a $50 million bond issue in April that would allow it to demolish the existing Cahokia Senior High School building and replace it.
The district says water and structural damage, along with safety hazards to students and staff, warrant the new building.
