Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – District 186 superintendent Jennifer Gill Tuesday downplayed concerns that some teachers will be out of a job come fall.

Nearly twenty of our union members were displaced from their jobs in order to assist with the $18 million budget deficit,” Springfield Education Association president Aaron Graves said Monday, describing a recent meeting between the union and the administration. “Our colleagues were in tears right as they are figuring out this next transition in their lives.”

Speaking on the WTAX Morning Newswatch the next morning, Gill said the situation is not as dire as Graves makes it seem.

“Nobody’s losing their job,” said Gill. “It’s called displacement. It means one job is going to look a little bit different for next year, and so those teachers will be on a displaced list, and then beginning in March, (of) the openings that we have, they’ll be able to choose the position that meets the qualifications that they have.” The process begins March 23, said the district’s human resources director, Jennifer Russell.

Proposed cuts of no less than $10 million will be presented to the board March 9, said the district’s business manager, Steve Miller.