College Station ISD addresses layoff rumors in email to parents

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – College Station ISD sent an email to parents Monday night addressing staffing changes within the district after rumors of layoffs spread across social media.

The district said in the email that intervention positions are being ‘restructured’ to better serve students and address overarching budget concerns.

However, it’s left parents with more questions than answers.

“The first thing is, what else is next? If we’re facing budget concerns, what else is next?” Erin Williams, a College Station ISD parent, said.

Williams has one child in special education and another who utilizes reading intervention programs. She said she’s thankful for the educators she and her children have worked with, and that her student in the reading intervention program has improved dramatically.

“He has excelled so rapidly and he’s exceeding his grade levels now because of these programs,” she added.

Part of the rumors included layoffs in special education, but the district clarified that special education programs will not be impacted.

Additionally, there are 10 gifted and talented specialists under contract for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Originally, there were 13, but three have retired. A spokesperson from the district said those positions will not be filled.

Although Williams is relieved special education won’t be affected, she’s worried this could be the start of larger cuts.

“I’ve been in that kind of purgatory where your child is not necessarily in the special needs category, but they’re approaching that and if these services get drawn back on those children, it could be disastrous,” she said.

For retired College Station ISD teacher Judy LeUnes, the response to the rumors was not handled well. Even she was left confused.

“I think the way they rolled it out caused more problems, and I’m hoping everybody is learning from this,” she said.

On May 21, the district is holding a workshop meeting to lay out the plan to restructure. LeUnes is encouraging parents to attend with an open mind.

“I would get them to get their buddies and their friends and all that and just to trust the system. Not blindly, at least go listen to it,” she said.

A spokesperson from College Station ISD declined KBTX’s request for an interview, and said more information will be shared online in the coming weeks.

The superintendent was scheduled to speak with KBTX live in studio April 24, but cancelled that interview.

Read the district’s email to parents below.