CRYSTAL CITY, Texas – Just before the Crystal City Independent School District let out for winter break, the district laid off 32 employees.
The district told KSAT that none of the layoffs included any contractual employees but instead, “staff members in various non-contractual positions.”
Victoria Noel, a woman who grew up in Crystal City and was set to move back to the district, said she’s communicated with teachers impacted by the cuts.
“One of them talked to me because she was about to retire within this next year,” Noel said. “Now she can’t even do that. One of my best friend’s sisters got let go as well, and I saw how that affected her. It was really hurtful for the community and not just the teachers.”
Noel said she was planning to move back to the CCISD this year to put her child in the pre-K 3-year-old program, but it is no longer available for her child.
“There’s nowhere for them to go now,” Noel said. “They’re just at home now. So parents are probably trying to find daycare facilities or babysitters.”
The district sent KSAT the following statement regarding the layoffs.
“The Crystal City ISD (“District”) made the difficult decision to dismiss 32 employees due to the District’s declaration of financial exigency. The District can confirm that the dismissals did not involve any contractual employees, including teachers, but included staff members in various non-contractual positions.
This decision was made in consultation with external financial advisors to swiftly reduce staffing in a way that addresses the District’s financial challenges while minimizing the impact on instructional and student-related programs.
The District continues to review its staffing needs in light of the ongoing financial challenges but will not discuss specific personnel matters, including compensation or pay. However, former employees will be appropriately compensated for the time they worked.
Currently, there are no confirmed plans for any additional dismissals or school closures, but the District will continue to monitor its staffing needs as necessary.
The District is aware of concerns raised by members of the community as a result of these dismissals and remains focused on making decisions that will allow the District to continue to provide a high level of educational services to our students while managing the District’s financial needs and resources responsibly.”
“It’s pretty stressful because then I have to find something alternative,” Noel said about the ending of CCISD’s pre-K program.
When KSAT asked whether laid-off CCISD teachers would receive severance or financial assistance through the end of the school year, the district responded, stating it “will not discuss specific personnel matters, including compensation or pay. However, former employees will be appropriately compensated for the time they worked.”
“Two teachers that I talked to told me that they were told by the school board to file for unemployment,” Noel said.
Noel plans to host the district’s second walkout on Monday, Jan. 13, in hopes of convincing CCISD to either assist former employees financially or rehire the people laid off.
