2026 Refresher on Educational Support Personnel RIF Procedures and Teacher Non-Renewal/RIF Deadlines

As we head into the second half of the 2025-26 school year, school districts must begin to make important decisions about their staffing needs for the 2026-2027 school year. Some school districts may elect to implement a reduction-in-force (“RIF”) of educational support personnel and/or teachers. Many school districts are also likely to consider the non-reemployment of non-tenured teachers at the end of the 2025-2026 school term. Both the RIF and teacher non-renewal processes must comply with strict statutory procedures and timelines outlined within The School Code. This guidance is designed to provide school administrators with a refresher on the various procedural requirements necessary to ensure compliance with statutory RIF and non-renewal requirements.