By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-954507.mp3
Dallas, TX – By a 7 to 2 vote, the Dallas school board passed a buyout package that would pay teachers up to $10,000 if they resign by March 8th. KERA's Bill Zeeble explains the move could ease the district's financial burden down the road, as it faces severe state budget cuts.
In the DISD's worst case, state money for its budget would fall $253 million dollars short, forcing the loss of more than 3,000 teachers. To get ahead, the district will now offer teachers who volunteer to resign, 15 percent of their salary, up to $10,000. Rena Honea, who heads the Alliance AFT teacher group, calls it a great opportunity.
Rena Honea: It's a great offer in consideration of the other offers we've heard around the metroplex. :48 that's a generous offer.
5th grade teacher Maria Cruz, with more than 3 decades in DISD, is ready for the deal.
Cruz: Because at least I would feel a little bit appreciated after 32 years of serving DISD students. Well I thought I had another 5-10 good years, but because of everything that's happened, I can't afford to stay or I would lose some retirement money.
Early in the board meeting, parents, teachers and students, including Townview sophomore Juana Medina, pleaded for NO teacher cuts.
Medina: At Townview, the ratio of students to teachers per class is 25:1. If 50 percent of our staff were to disappear, the ratio would be 35:1. How am I supposed to learn when my teacher cannot give me the attention I need? I ask you not to take away my dreams or those of thousands of other DISD students. 229 You tell us we are the future. Prove it.
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa expects his worst case, quarter million dollar budget loss will improve some over the next few weeks, but not that much. At least this plan, he says, will help temper the trauma of forced layoffs.
Hinojosa: We feel confident this plan we're proposing tonight will keep the crisis from happening in the volatile emotional situation you saw tonight when we have everyone up here worried about their jobs.
Contract educators interested in the voluntary resignation package can start signing up tomorrow at the administration building. The last day is March 8th, and the district has set aside up $7 million for the plan. But if the dollar cap is met and more teachers are interested by the March deadline, trustees could approve an extension when they next meet March 10th.