Austin ISD School Board Votes to Lay Off 792 Staff

I watched most of the Austin ISD board meeting last night online, where they voted to lay off 792 staff, including 500 teachers and administrators. What made the cuts unusual is that the board voted to break contracts. What is typically happening around the state is that districts are letting people on probationary contracts go, in other words, mostly first year teachers and administrators. The AISD board felt it was more strategic to make cuts where they wanted, not just to new employees.

It was painful to watch the public commentary of the band teacher whose job is cut - and his wife's job in AISD is on the chopping block, and they are expecting a child. Students begged the board not to cut their German program.

The board is also taking a one time $43 million withdrawal from their fund balance, a move that many other school districts are doing, which begs the question, how are they going to balance their budgets for the 2012-2013 school year without many more layoffs and cuts in programs?

Note that there was discussion last night from the community and from board members, to consider raising property taxes to get more revenue in, which would require a public vote.

You can read more about the AISD cuts here and here.