KATY ISD – At its work study meeting on
Monday night, the Katy ISD Board of Trustees approved the resignations or termination of probationary employee
contracts for more than 300 district employees. The layoffs are the result of the expected shortfall of a projected $50 million in state
funding.
By law,
Texas school districts must notify contract employees 45 days prior to the last
day of instruction, which is April 19 for Katy ISD. Three Hundred Fifty
employees with Chapter 21 Probationary Contracts were notified last week that
their employment with the district will be terminated after their 2010-11
contract ends. However, the district has received additional voluntary
resignations and retirements, reducing the total number of layoffs to 314.
“As we continue to receive voluntary
resignations and retirements, we will have the opportunity to keep more
teachers who want to continue working,” said Frailey. “We are also hoping that the actual loss of
state revenue turns out to be less than expected, giving us the opportunity to consider
rehiring some of those who lost their jobs.”
At the April
11 special meeting at which the Board was given an update on the 2011-12
staffing plan, Board President, Judith Snyder, remarked that this was an
unprecedented time in the district, caused by forces outside of Katy. “I
believe that in the history of this district, however, this has to be the
hardest and most painful situation yet. While we have certainly faced complex
budget situations before, never before have we faced anything like we are
seeing today. Never before has this Board had to contemplate laying off
teachers and staff, who through no fault of their own, are the victims of a
situation that is not of our creation, but the creation of politicians in
Austin.”
While the
staff reductions net approximately $23 to $26 million in savings, the district
is still looking at the need to cut an additional $24 to $27 million in order
to close the $50 million gap caused by the lack of funding in public education
at the state level. The district is looking at taking additional measures to
close the gap including additional staff and service reductions, and the
possible use of fund balance.
“We still have a long way to go before the
work is done as we must find an additional $25 million in savings in order to
balance our budget,” explained Frailey. “We are still hopeful that the state legislature
will find a way to fund public education at levels necessary to meet the needs
of today’s students. As we saw last week, students across our district made it
loud and clear that they did not like the impact budget cuts are having on
their classroom; hopefully, Austin in getting the message.”
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