AISD trustees eliminate 792 employees

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Faced with its worst budget outlook in generations, the Austin school board Monday night voted on a plan that will result in the layoff of 792 employees, including nearly 500 teachers and administrators.

The move came after Superintendent Meria Carstarphen announced that the district would be making a one-time $43 million withdrawal from the district's fund balance in the effort to close a $94.4 million shortfall. Even if the board moved forward with plans to raise property taxes, deep cuts would still be needed, she added.

"There's no one thing that is going to save Austin or [school district] positions -- not tonight, not one month from now," Carstarphen told the board and people who crowded into the board room.

Trustees also accepted the report regarding district facilities, but that does not mean any of the recommendations will be immediately acted on. The superintendent said she intends to comb through the documents, and make fine-tune the recommendaitons for consideration later.

Before the vote, a parade of emotional speakers pleaded with the board to find alternatives to the layoffs, saying that Austin students will suffer for years to come and many Austin teachers will be faced with economic devastation.

"These cuts are going to cripple my family," said Alan Guckian, the band director for Eastside Memorial High School whose wife is also an Austin teacher. "If we lose our positions, we lose our home. That's just a fact."

In all, 30 speakers addressed the board, and all but one expressed at least some level of regret that the employees will have to be let go and that some facilities might have to close.

One speaker, Austin resident Brent Handy, praised Carstarphen for exercising "fearlessness" in making the budget-balancing recommendations.

The action Monday night was a prelude for the actual adoption in June of the estimated $974 million budget for the upcoming year.

Carstarphen said the situation facing local school districts is the worst since the state assumed responsibility for funding at least part of public education in 1949.

Several board members were clearly troubled by the scope of the staffing reductions, and they pointed the finger at the Legislature for ruling out any major new revenue enhancements to take the pressure off school districts across the state.

"It really comes down to an unwillingness of the Legislature to support public education," said Trustee Robert Schneider, who said that perhaps the board should consider asking voters to support a tax increase. "It's time for Austin to take care of its own."

Trustee Annette LoVoi, the only one who voted against the entire package, encouraged Carstarphen to sift through the budget proposal that will come back to the board in June for any savings from such items as cell phones and car allowances. The effort, she said, could end up saving jobs.

"This is not an easy decision for anyone," said Board President Mark Williams. "We were dealt some very difficult cards by (lawmakers). We can't fold. We have to play our hand."