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Sep 22, 2008 6:22 pm US/Central
Budget Mistake Leaves DISD Teachers Wondering
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
It is another long day of waiting and worrying at Dallas schools. Hundreds of teacher's jobs are at stake as school leaders try to find millions of dollars to correct a costly budget mistake.
There are some 11,000 teachers who work for the Dallas Independent School District and tonight many are wondering if they will lose their job. Meanwhile, there is still talk about Michael Hinojosa keeping his.
All day closed-door sessions have been the center of Superintendent Michael Hinojosa's Monday.
On Dallas School campuses, principals are counting heads. Anyone with a determined surplus of teachers must prepare to possibly issue pink slips.
The entire situation is a result of the school district's $64 million problem.
It's a financial embarrassment that could determine Hinojosa's future. Dallas School Board trustee Lew Blackburn said, "Ultimately the superintendent is responsible – that's who the board holds responsible."
Hinojosa has said he has no plans to resign. But he must search for millions in savings in other categories, before slashing up to 700 teaching jobs, to offset the massive overspending of the past year.
School district officials say right now they're spending one million a week, adding to the deficit, until the board takes action.
"If we don't stop the bleeding that we're talking about, at least $64 million, perhaps as much as $84 million, if we don't do anything now to stop the bleeding," said DISD Spokesman Jon Dahlander.
According to the school district stopping that bleeding means there has to be a reduction in workforce.
Hinojosa will speak to the Dallas Chamber of Commerce Tuesday with a speech entitled the "State of the Dallas School District."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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