Schools
Crosby ISD Cuts 129 Jobs To Fend Off Insolvency
A serious financial crisis in Crosby ISD has resulted in mass layoffs with some employees opting to retire to keep the district afloat.
CROSBY, TX — The financial crisis in the Crosby Independent School District has resulted in more layoffs with the district announcing on Tuesday that 129 more district personnel will be cut this month.
Of those personnel being laid off, 72 are at-will positions that that filled roles as bus drivers, school custodians, and clerical staff. Their last day of employment will be Nov. 2, officials said.
The 129 positions also include some voluntary resignations and retirements, officials said.
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The board of trustees approved a recommendation during a special meeting on Monday night to terminate the contracts of 33 employees — 19 of which were teachers — in an effort to trim millions from the budget.
Other positions impacted by the initial layoffs include the district's transportation director, the district social studies coordinator, and the elementary science coordinator. Those employees will remain in their positions through Dec. 20, 2018.
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READ ALSO: Financial Crisis Forces Crosby ISD To Cut 33 Jobs
The layoffs came a week after the board of trustees declared financial exigency during an Oct. 9 board meeting. The declaration authorized the district to conduct a midyear reduction in force to avoid insolvency.
The staff reductions are projected to save the district $5.5 million. District officials who came on-board in June, which include Superinterndent Scott Davis and a new finance director, discovered serious cash-flow problems dating back more than a year.
Officials believe the issues were a result of personnel costs, inaccurate revenue estimates by the past administration, and construction costs.
District officials are waiting on the results of a forensic audit of 2017-2018 to determine of district funds were mishandled.
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