(If you have a friend in the Chicago Public Schools, please pass this on. You might pass it to any friends in districts running in the red.)

Governor Bruce Rauner of Illinois wants to take over the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). He wants to take on the unions and shift Chicago in the direction of charter schools and other independent entities. His short term goal is to get CPS finances in order. That’s his long-term goal, too, along with providing a decent education to students in Chicago. Given that CPS is facing a $500 million structural operating deficit and a pension shortfall that bring the CPS budget hole to an astounding $1.1 billion, I can’t blame Rauner. A school district that is running over a billion dollars in the red cannot be allowed to continue doing business as usual.

Here’s what I want to say to teachers: Don’t assume Rauner cannot deliver on his threats. The state has taken over districts before. The state has fired school boards and school superintendents before. I worked in one of those districts. The former board members squawked ineffectually. The Superintendent quietly disappeared. Or if he made a fuss, I never heard about it. Two of my immediate superiors in the board office were also replaced. Teachers disappeared en masse from some schools in these districts. Attitude remained miserable for a few years and is only improving in pockets.

While the governor cannot wave a wand and dissolve the unions, CPS is running without a contract right now. I would not want to take part in those negotiations. CPS has little leverage.

Eduhonesty: I predict next year will be a great time to open a charter school.

If you are a first or second year teacher in CPS or a district running a deficit, start checking the job websites starting in February. Depending on your area of expertise, taking a pay cut to go into a solvent district may be a sound move. Even if you can hang on to your current position, you may not want to stay. More closures are possible. Lay-offs are possible. Lay-offs almost always lead to larger class sizes.

My suggestion? If you are new to CPS, start filling out those applications shortly. You don’t have to take a new job, but you might to open up a few options.