KTRK-TV
Asumag 8603 Crosby 0
Asumag 8603 Crosby 0
Asumag 8603 Crosby 0
Asumag 8603 Crosby 0
Asumag 8603 Crosby 0

Financially troubled Crosby (Texas) district eliminates 129 jobs

Oct. 19, 2018
Reductions will reduce budget by $5.2 million and enable the district to get through the school year.

The financially struggling Crosby (Texas) school district is eliminating 129 positions 

KTRK-TV reports that of the 129 positions being eliminated, 95 will be a result of a reduction in force, the district says. Those include bus drivers, custodians and clerical staff, were informed that their last day on the job is on Nov. 2.

Earlier in the week, the Crosby school board voted to terminate the contracts of 34 employees, 19 of whom are teachers. Their last day on the job is Dec. 20.

The 129 positions also include those who took voluntary resignations or retirements.

The layoffs will cut $5.2 million in payroll expenses and get the district through the school year, says superintendent Scott Davis, who has been on the job only 16 weeks. The financial problems are being blamed on the previous administration's mismanagement, overspending on construction projects and surplus staff. Former superintendent Keith Moore and former Chief Financial Officer Carla Merka both left the district earlier this year.

Following Wednesday's layoff announcement, Davis offered this statement:

"We knew these days were coming, and yet, no amount of emotional preparation could have fully prepared us for the most difficult and necessary step of informing our beloved employees that they would no longer be working for Crosby ISD. Today we have concluded these conversations and our hearts are heavy, our minds too overwhelmed by the emotional complexity of this to fully process what has transpired over the last two weeks. There have been few moments of respite from this sobering and humbling reality that we face as an organization and as a family. We've pressed forward one day at a time, one decision at a time. I think this is all we can ask of ourselves and those around us - keep pressing forward. That being said, this part of the reduction in force process is over. Any new vacancies from this point forward will be posted and any of our employees whose positions were dissolved may apply.

I think the sadness is evident today across the district. I can tell you with resounding conviction that the sacrifices made by so many will not be in vain. It is up to all of us to be certain that this district survives and thrives again. Tomorrow we will return to work and together we will keep pressing forward. We will tackle the day's challenges one day at a time. We will make decisions to rebuild our district one decision at a time. We will continue to press forward. It will take time to adjust to living a new normal and I can't promise that it will be a perfect process, but I can promise that the resolve to recover will carry us through the challenging times ahead. I've been a part of the Crosby Cougar Family for only 16 weeks and I know that I lead an outstanding group of people in our schools. The community has wrapped its arms around us and taken care of so many needs the way families do for one another. I am proud to be here. I wouldn't wish these circumstances on anyone, but we have grown in unforeseen ways and we've all witnessed that unspoken resilience that is the ultimate trademark of this community. Crosby ISD will survive.

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