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DISD delays layoffs until Thursday
02:02 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 15, 2008
DALLAS – The Dallas Independent School District has postponed laying off more than 460 teachers by a day after worried principals expressed their concern that the layoffs cut too deep.
The layoffs, originally scheduled for Wednesday, are now set to happen on Thursday.
"I want to make certain that we give ourselves time to resolve the issues that they have raised,” said DISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa in a statement. “We are committed to paying close attention to our standards of service at each campus."
The district plans to lay off 463 teachers, which is 87 less than the 550 originally proposed.
The number was narrowed down partly because 216 teachers volunteered to retire or resign. But, it's not a one-for-one deal. Subject matter and teacher certification play a part in the choosing of which positions are cut and which ones aren't.
Beyond that, an additional 350 other teachers will get shuffled around the district. While they will be able to keep their jobs, they will be forced to teach at other campuses where there is a need.
Tuesday night, Alliance AFT, the district’s largest union, said it believes DISD is doing the right thing by taking its time to make sure the cuts are done correctly. But, for worried teachers, the wait is torture.
"I think they're going to be in absolute shock,” said Rena Honea, Alliance AFT. “[Teachers] have been at the edge [and] on edge for days and weeks now. For those that see the news tonight or wake up in the morning and think 'Oh my gosh, another day to wait,' that is just absolute torture I think."
The district plans individual meeting with principals Wednesday to finalize layoffs.
The plan is to give teachers pink slips on Thursday after classes. The district told News 8 that number could fluctuate based on their upcoming meetings.
E-mail jwhitelyz@wfaa.com
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