Fort Worth ISD to undergo layoffs soon, impacting employees

In the face of declining enrollment and projected budget shortfalls, the Fort Worth Independent School District plans to cut staff.

Superintendent Angelica Ramsey posted the announcement online Monday.

"This year, due to continued projections of declining enrollment, coupled with legislative inaction on public school financing, the sunsetting of ESSER funds, fewer federal dollars, and a projected budget deficit, it has become necessary for us to make additional reductions both in budgets and staff," Ramsey wrote.

School board members spent three hours in executive session during a special meeting on Tuesday night, discussing which positions and how many will be affected.

After the meeting, Ramsey told reporters that teachers will not be affected in the layoffs. She did not go into details about which jobs and how many will be affected because she said she doesn't want staff who are losing their jobs to find out prematurely.

"Out of respect for our staff that are impacted, we want to make sure that they hear from us. And so we'll be communicating with them starting [Wednesday] and having meetings this week with them in person. We definitely don't want them to read about it or hear about it tonight," she said on Tuesday night.

Ramsey added that they are targeting jobs because more than 80% of the district's budget goes to salaries.

BUDGET, ENROLLMENT & FUNDING CONCERNS

There are several reasons for the layoffs, one of which stems from declining enrollment, according to FWISD.

"Fort Worth ISD has been declining in enrollment for about ten years. Actually, we had projections for this year and we exceeded them. But we are still declining in enrollment. All of the growth that's happening in the city is not happening within the boundaries of Fort Worth ISD," Ramsey said.

She said the same issue is being felt in other school districts within the area.

"[There are] families that might have chosen homeschool like every other district in America. We have the families that didn't come back after COVID. We want them to know that we have endless opportunities that no one around here can compete with. Free transportation, programs of choice, after school care, free breakfast and lunch for every single child," said Ramsey.

Budget deficits are another challenge. FWISD slashed about $1.6 million last year. Currently, the district is dealing with another budget shortfall.

"Going into next year, we have approximately $43.6 million in a deficit for next school year. That is not all. In staffing, we're finding efficiencies throughout the school district. We're looking at budgets, we're looking at contracts. We're looking at every place we can so that employees are the last to be impacted," Ramsey said.

Another issue FWISD is facing is federal funding coming to an end. ESSER funds, or Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds, were part of federal COVID relief grants.

Then there's the contentious public school funding issue that has been debated by state lawmakers. Ramsey cited that as another reason for the situation that the school district is in.

"We wouldn't have the deficit in the same way if we did not have legislative inaction. We have a governor and our legislators that is holding our schools hostage. There are millions of dollars that have been allocated for schools, but they won't give us the money. All of the money for teacher raises. Nothing. We've heard nothing. On a fifth legislative session, they're still tying those dollars to vouchers, and it's hurting the children of Texas," she said.

Ramsey added, "We're victims just like every other public school district in Texas. We implore again, our legislators to take some action. But because of that, we're working really hard to keep those cuts away from the classroom. We know that there is anxiety. We know that. But we've also been so diligent to keep that list as small as possible and to ensure we have a process for those employees where we respect them."

TEACHERS UNION WEIGHS IN

Ramsey's message prompted questions and concerns by many.

"Who decides which employees stay or go? What is the criteria for this decision, besides the money?" asked Meredith Bowman during a separate special board meeting Monday evening, shortly after the announcement.

Bowman is a teacher and parent in the district and president of the Association of Texas Public Educators.

"Teachers are very concerned, our admin are concerned, and all employees are concerned," she said.

Steven Poole, executive director of the United Educators Association, said he has also heard from members.

"That's created a lot of anxiety amongst employees is, asking the questions, "Is it going to be my job, or not?" he said.

He thinks teachers might be spared from the cuts since Ramsey's message states, "...We have tried to minimize the impact to the classroom by prioritizing student achievement," but he can't be sure.

"But what does that mean? We won't know until the board actually takes action tonight," Poole said.

That's what Joanna Fernández is worried about for her three kids.

"They are not going to get the education they need," she said.

Poole said Texas' legislative inaction is a concern, holding public school funding hostage.

"They've been fighting down in Austin over private school vouchers and... even though we've had a record surplus at the state level, none of that has trickled down to our school districts," Poole said.

He said staff and teachers are caught in the middle of the fight.

But he said the root of the problem is Fort Worth ISD's declining enrollment.

"We can only control what we can control, and student enrollment is something that we should address. That is the biggest driver of the problem here," he said.

Because state funding is tied to how many students are in the seat, Poole said the district needs a long-term plan.

"Yes, there is the nonsense going on down in Austin, but families are choosing other education settings than our public schools here in Fort Worth. So, what is Fort Worth ISD's plan to bring these parents back? To attract people into our schools? And that's where I don't see the vision in the district," he said.

Poole said without that plan, the questions and concerns remain.

"That's where I'm a little unsettled right now, and a lot of employees are unsettled because we don't see a clear vision for the future of this district," he said. "We're going to see cuts after cuts after cuts after cuts, year after year, after year. We need to stop that."

Ramsey said some job titles may be cut altogether, but there "will still be positions available within Fort Worth ISD."

Ramsey said the district will work with those employees to help them, including organizing job fairs.

"Additionally, it's essential to remember that vacancies will continue to rise throughout the spring due to retirements, resignations, and other factors, providing further avenues for those who wish to remain with the district," she wrote.