Special Needs Cuts Spark Worry at Fort Bend ISD

April 7, 2010

The feds will say economic recovery is underway, but try and tell that to teachers in Fort Bend ISD who are getting pink slips.

The district is $20 million in the hole and it’s eliminating 470 positions. About 100 of those are teachers whose number-one job is to help special needs students.

The move shocked both concerned parents and the teacher’s union, neither of which had a heads up before the district started doling out pink slips.

"First phone call from the first person who was laid off," said Fort Bend Employee Federation President Karrie Washenfelder, describing how she found out about the layoffs. "[That person] had to take the rest of the day off they were so upset about it."

Even more shocking for some parents is the news their special education students who need the most help are instead losing about 100 teachers and staff.

"I’m a little concerned about it because we’re already limited in personnel in the special education area. So yeah, it’s a little bit disturbing, it’s a little bit scary," said Kristin Tassin, who has a special needs girl.

In a statement, Fort Bend ISD defended its decision by saying special needs students dropped by 900 over the past 10 years, while special needs staff increased by 176. However, the district didn’t answer requests for an explanation of how special needs students will be accommodated after this reduction.

As a parent of a special needs girl, Tassin said it will work if the district ends segregated special needs education and moves to inclusion with the general student population.

"If we lessen the staff and use our staff more wisely by putting them in the regular education classrooms, I think we’ll be fine. But like I said I just don’t know that that’s where we’re going," said Tassin.

Meanwhile, the Fort Bend Employee Federation still feels a little blindsided the administration didn’t share in the cuts to ease the pain on teachers.

"It doesn’t seem fair that you’re grounds-keepers and your special education teachers are cut, but your top administrators are keeping 100 percent of their salary and bonuses and benefits," said Washenfelder.

A special education teacher in Fort Bend ISD ma kes about $48,000 per year. That’s also par with the median salary for all Fort Bend Employees. By comparison, the highest paid employee is Superintendent Timothy Jenny, who makes $248,000. The lowest wage earner makes nearly $14,000.

Fort Bend ISD said it does hope to rehire as many people as possible as new positions come open from retirement. There’s a board meeting April 12 to discuss the remaining positions to be cut.