Round Rock ISD Notifies Teachers about Layoffs

On Friday Round Rock ISD has begun the process of notifying 280 probationary employees they would be losing their jobs.

Round Rock ISD is preparing for a $60 million reduction in state funding.

Districts must notify employees 45 days prior to the last class day about their employment status for the next school year.

Of those who were notified they would be losing their jobs, 234 were classroom teachers. There were also 19 instructional support/enrichment positions, five central office instructional support positions, and 22 campus support positions.

The employees were told that at an April board meeting, their positions would be slated for termination.

“This is a very difficult time for our district and it weighs heavily on my heart to lose hundreds of excellent employees,” Superintendent Dr. Jesús. H. Chávez said in a statement. “We are optimistic that the state’s budget situation will improve and we will be able to rehire some of the employees we have to let go.”

District officials say they have been successful in finding new positions for approximately 100 other contracted employees whose positions were slated for elimination.

“The elimination of 280 probationary employees takes into account the worst-case budget scenario for Round Rock ISD. As additional dollars become available we will direct the dollars to positions that have a direct positive impact on our students.” said Chávez.

District officials say they have also identified 70 central office and auxiliary employees that will be laid off. However, that number could increase. Because these employees are not contract employees, they can be notified later when they are being laid off.