The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees approved a reduction in force (RIF) as a way to deal with its financial emergency. Last year, the District overspent the budget by nearly $64 million. The District is on par to have a budget shortfall of nearly $84 million unless we take immediate action to reduce expenditures. Thus, the majority of the cost reductions will be in employee payroll.

About two weeks ago, Dallas ISD has terminated more than 160 employees from the central office level. Last week, more than 300 campus level support employees were terminated. This week, more than 450 additional campus level employees will be terminated, including teachers, 10 counselors, and 40 assistant principals. It's possible that even more employees will be terminated.

Pockets of Pride
School begins August 25 for Dallas ISD students. Last school year was one of the best yet for Dallas ISD. The top rating from the Texas Education Agency, "Exemplary" was earned by 26 of our schools. The number of "Recognized" rated schools was 77.

Corners of Concern
While we are proud of the 103 schools that earned the top two highest ratings, we have much work to do with the 21 schools rated as "Academically Unacceptable". We must leave no school behind as we move towards having world-class schools for our world-class city.

Anxious with Anticipation