Magnolia Independent School District (MISD) began 115 layoffs on March 22 in preparation for an expected $12 million shortfall it is facing for the next school year.

Superintendent Todd Stephens released a statement last week saying the district could see a 15 percent reduction in funds next year. In response to the possible reductions, the district was forced to take action to accommodate the maximum potential damage of the budget cut.

“We have to protect the school against the maximum cut,” he said

Pictured, MISD Superintendent Todd Stephens addresses potential layoffs at the weekly Magnolia Rotary Club meeting.

Stephens appeared as the guest speaker of the Magnolia Rotary Club March 22 and stated that in addition to preparing for the maximum possible budget cut, the district must also honor its contract cancellation process by notifying teachers 45 days prior to the end of their employment.

Stephens said the cuts would not only be made to teachers, but office staff and support staff.

He said the teachers and staff would be notified no later than April 11. However, MISD Communications Officer Charlie Brown said the tension was increasingly high throughout the schools so the information was released earlier.

“The decision was made to release the information early so people would know,” he said.

The statement issued from MISD says the district notified 55 probationary teachers, or teachers with less than three years experience, that their contracts may not be renewed for the next school year. Also, 51 support staff members received notifications that they will not hold a position with MISD. Nine office positions were eliminated.

In addition, the district has received 64 letters of resignation.

Stephens said the district has identified $1.8 million in non-payroll reductions that will be taken before any teaching positions are eliminated.

He explained that he does not expect this to alter or eliminate any current school programs.

“The district does not anticipate that these potential staff reductions will result in any major changes or elimination of current programs offered in the District,” he said.

Stephens explained that MISD has $14 million in its working fund. If the district decided to absorb the costs of the potential budget cut and keep its staff that would leave the district with $2 million to operate.

“($2 million) would be barely enough to cover a two-month working supply,” he said.

He added that other districts may have a larger working fund and are able to support its staff after the budget cut for another year.

Currently, the Texas Legislature is debating a potential $28 billion budget cut across the state. Of that amount, nearly $10 billion will be cut from Texas education, which translates to $12 million for MISD.

Stephens said districts will not know the size of the budget cut until June or as late as September.

“It is unfortunate that the District has had to make these notifications before knowing the full extent of what the legislature will do regarding school funding,” he wrote. “The District will continue to monitor what is happening with the legislative session and the development of the state budget for public education.”

However, the Texas Senate is proposing a lower education reduction, which Stephens says will still be large but easier to manage. Also Governor Rick Perry has stated he may release $3 billion from the state’s rainy day fund.

If the cut is lower than anticipated, the district will be able to issue new contracts to those laid off once the actual budget cut is released, according to Stephens.

“It is the sincere hope of the District that the budget picture will improve and that some of these staff members will be able to return to positions within the District,” he stated.

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