Fort Worth ISD Reduces Staff, Eliminates Positions to Meet Budget Shortfall

 Teachers Will Not Be Laid-Off

The Fort Worth Independent School District will eliminate more than 213 positions as a result of a projected $41M shortfall this year. As many as 84 actual employees could be laid off in the next few weeks under the proposed plan while another 129 currently vacant jobs will be cut from the District payroll.

The District is still reviewing staffing ratios and reorganization possibilities.

Among those immediately affected would be 21 library clerks, 7 PE assistants, 38 teacher assistants, auxiliary staff who were not tied to particular programs as well as an additional 18 teacher assistants funded through Title 1.

Superintendent Walter Dansby says the District will hold to his previously announced intention to not lay off any Fort Worth ISD teachers.

Over the past two years 113 central office positions and 251.5 campus positions have been eliminated from the District payroll. Many of the recently eliminated central office positions have been vacant for the better part of a year and, as a result, represent additional savings for that time period.

“We understand there is a lot of anxiety about the state funding crisis and its impact on our District.  This continues to be a grave concern,” Mr. Dansby said.  “However, through careful budgeting and realignment of resources, we believe we have a plan that will best serve our instructional needs of Fort Worth ISD students.”

“Over the past week a group of district administrators representing every division and department has been working together – in the same room over long hours– to review each school’s master schedule to ensure efficiencies and meet student needs,” said Mr. Dansby. “As a result of this effort we believe we are going to maximize how we utilize existing faculty and hire from the outside. 

“With the exception of special situations (for example special education or bilingual,) we hope to ensure that we hire teachers from within the District.”

The District will provide support and a variety of resources to the laid-off employees. This includes a scheduled job fair with area employers, information sessions with EECU (Education Employees Credit Union,)  and a special session with the Texas Workforce Commission.

Recommendations will be taken to the Board and a final budget for 2012-13 will be adopted in June.

---www.fwisd.org---