Financial Crisis Forces Crosby ISD To Cut 33 Jobs

CROSBY, TX — A financial crisis in the Crosby Independent School District to the tune of $5.5 million has forced the district to terminate the contracts more than 30 employees. The Crosby ISD board of trustees voted Monday night to terminate the contracts of 33 employees in an effort to trim millions from the budget.

The layoffs come a week after the board of trustees declared financial exigency, which authorized the district to conduct a midyear reduction in force.

“All staff reductions will have ripple effects that are undeniable, but we have been charged with the impossible task of having to determine the changes that will have the least impact on our children and the long-term health of our district,” Crosby ISD Superintendent Scott Davis said in a news release Monday.

Davis said that administrators had already met with many of the affected employees considered “easily identifiable” ahead of Monday’s meeting, and informed them of the pending layoffs.

District officials who came on-board in June discovered a series of 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.

“Saving Crosby ISD is the ultimate goal and in order to do this, difficult and agonizing decisions have to be made,” Davis added. “It is my hope that as the district’s enrollment continues to grow, we can carefully add back some of these positions in a way that is healthy for our district in future years.”

The affected employees will remain in their positions through Dec. 20, 2018.

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