The Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees is expected to decide whether to finalize the layoffs of 44 teachers during a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the district’s central office.
This comes months after the SISD school board approved plans to lay off up to 300 employees in an effort to reduce its budget by $38 million.
Among the 44 teachers whose contracts SISD administrators are recommending not be renewed for the 2025-26 school year are those in fine arts, math, English, science and social studies teachers, as well as career and technical education program instructors, according to the meeting agenda. A handful of them are teachers on probationary contracts.
The agenda does not list any administrative positions being recommended for non-renewal and also doesn’t include any layoffs for central office employees.
SISD chief communications officer Daniel Escobar confirmed to El Paso Matters that only the 44 teachers listed are being recommended for layoffs. He said administrators expect to give updates on the number of employees who took incentives to resign or retire and those who were moved to other positions within the district.
The board will discuss the teacher list behind closed doors in executive session, but must take any action in public.
After the board’s decision in February to move forward with the reduction in force, the district offered a $2,500 incentive for employees to resign or retire to reduce the number of layoffs. District officials also said they would try to move qualified employees to open positions within the district and offered to reimburse the cost of training to get certified to teach in areas of high need, such as special education.
Socorro American Federation of Teachers President Veronica Hernandez said the organization has helped many of its members get certifications in areas of high need.
SISD Board of Trustees Meeting
When: 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 5
Where: SISD District Service Center Board Room, 12440 Rojas Drive
Watch live: Catch the livestream here
The post SISD board to weigh approving 44 teachers for layoffs appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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