Austin district identifies positions that may be cut

From The Austin American Statesman: The Austin (Texas) school district has released a list of 114 positions that may be eliminated by June 30 under proposed budget cuts. Superintendent Meria Carstarphen has asked trustees to declare the district in a state of financial exigency. Declaring financial exigency would allow the district to terminate employees, even if they are under contract. The district faces a $7.1 million shortfall and wants to find another $64 million for new programs. Few of the 114 positions are upper-level administrators. Of the 114 positions, 30 are vacant, including bus drivers and grounds personnel. If all positions were eliminated, it would save the district $5 million. The district’s operating budget is more than $700 million.