What HISD's Reduction in Force Means to One High School

I found this illuminating. Tim Wainwright, the principal at HISD's Westbury High School gives a lot of details about how the reduction in force is being implemented in HISD. It will affect every department, core and non-core, at Westbury. The deadline for the RIF is April 18th.

The information about selecting staff eligible for the RIF is interesting, with the clearing "the scrutiny of the HISD legal team" being the key point, from what I am hearing about RIF's around the state. Districts cannot afford to spend money on grievances from staff, so they are making their RIF choices lawyer-proof.

Also, it's one thing to know that every HISD school is getting $275 less per student, but it's another thing to see that add up to $600,000 on one campus.

HISD Board Budget Cuts and Westbury HS

Posted: March 11, 2011 by ATWainright in Uncategorized

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On March 10, 2011, the HISD school board voted to decrease the amount of money given to each school by $275 per student. What this means for Westbury HS is a reduction in funding in the amount of about $600,000. Because of the reduction in funding, it will be necessary to make Reduction in Force (RIF) decisions in order to operate within our budget during the next school year.

In accordance with state law, Westbury employees will have to be notified about the elimination of their position prior to April 18th, 2011. RIF decisions at Westbury, will touch every department, both core and non-core classes, clerical staff, security personnel and school administration.

The method for deciding which personnel positions to RIF is not an arbitrary process. Building Principals have been given very clear instructions and rules to follow in determining which employees are a susceptible for a RIF decision. Once the building principal has made their initial selections in accordance with the rules and regulations, all RIF candidates must clear the scrutiny of Houston ISD’s legal and human resources department. It is only then, that building principals can give employees notification of their position being eliminated.

While the RIF process is very mechanical and impersonal I want to assure everyone that I understand the personal impact the budget cuts will have on Westbury teaches and other HISD campuses across the district. While this is only my first year at Westbury, I have developed a deep fondness for all of my staff and the decision process in front of me is not one I look forward to.

At the end of the day, regardless of RIF decisions, budget cuts and other extraneous distractions that exist in our city, state, nation and world, Westbury students, parents, teachers and administrators have work to do. When we return from Spring Break we will have only 5 weeks to hammer our way through intensive TAKS reviews in preparation for the State Exams. Those exams will quickly be followed by Advanced Placement tests, End of Course exams, Final Exams and Senior Graduation.

Westbuty HS students and teachers are preparing to make a serious attempt to be a TEA Recognized Campus this year. To be successful in this challenge will require a laser-like focus on the part everyone when we return. Please take the opportunity during Spring Break to relax and enjoy some well-earned rest and return on March 21st, ready to work.

Have a restuful Spring Break,

W