El Paso ISD sends some teachers letters saying their position may be cut
Lauren Bly
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — ABC-7 obtained a copy of a letter an El Paso Independent School District teacher received Tuesday. The letter mentions EPISD school board’s plan to cut 54 teacher positions following financial struggles.
The letter said, “After careful consideration and extensive review of the District’s financial needs, the District has made the difficult decision to eliminate certain positions as part of a reduction in force due tofinancial exigency.”
Financial exigency is similar to declaring bankruptcy for financial institutions. The district faced a $52 million budget deficit. Getting rid of the positions would bring the deficit down to just more than $4 million, the district said.
A Jefferson High School teacher who recently received a layoff notice from the El Paso Independent School District says the decision, while expected, has raised concerns about its impact on students and educators alike.
“They know that they’re going to be in bigger classrooms next year,” said Jesus Carreño, a social studies teacher at Jefferson High School. “They know that the teachers that they liked and they thought were good are going to be gone next year.”
Carreño said he received his layoff letter several days ago. EPISD officials say notices have been sent to 63 staff members as the district works to address an approximately $53 million budget deficit.
“I was expecting it,” Carreño said. “But the first thing I’m thinking of is, what am I going to tell my family?”
The teacher said he invested significant time and money into his career in education.
“I spent thousands of dollars on this program. I spent thousands of dollars on a bachelor’s degree, and now I’m out of a job,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Carreño said his primary concern remains his students.
“I’m going to miss them a lot,” he said. “That’s the reason we do this job. We do it so we can work with these students, teach them and help them become better people.”
Carreño said he plans to continue applying for teaching positions and is also considering returning to school to pursue a master’s degree.
The EPISD Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote on the proposed contract terminations June 15. District officials are expected to provide additional information following the board’s decision.
EPISD did release a statement:
“El Paso ISD has begun the process of notifying employees who may be impacted by the Financial Exigency declaration and Reduction in Force (RIF) approved by the Board of Trustees. The letters being issued are advance notices of proposed termination intended to inform employees of the recommendation and provide information regarding next steps and available options. Final action has not been taken, and any proposed terminations would require Board approval at the June 15 Board meeting.
A total of 63 employees have received these notices.
El Paso ISD is committed to ensuring employees receive clear and accurate information throughout the reduction in force process. The resignation form included with the notification packet is entirely voluntary and is provided only as an option for employees who may prefer to resign rather than have their contract recommended for termination due to financial exigency and reduction in force.
Questions regarding unemployment benefits should be directed to the appropriate government agency, as eligibility determinations are made by entities outside of El Paso ISD.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.