Different Look to ECISD Contracts
By: Jamie Kuras
Updated: April 20, 2011
ODESSA -- E.C.I.S.D. employees recently received their new contracts and one difference was apparent -- it was much longer.
The new wording of the contracts have many people worried that they leave the door open for more possible cuts. But even though the wording has changed, the contracts are very similar -- except for one thing.
One new line is added to the new contracts -- the additional provision. This says that the person receiving the contract is aware of the salary freeze and possible reduction or elimination of various benefits for next school year.
But teachers don't need to worry.
"Teachers have signed contracts for next year," said E.C.I.S.D. Director of Communications Mike Adkins. "Those can't be ended without going through the whole formal process of termination or non-renewal -- which is a very long, drawn out process that's specified by law. And if you have a contract, you have a job for next year."
"I'm here to tell you that our work is complete," said E.C.I.S.D. Superintendent Hector Mendez, "in terms of what we needed in order to address the state of financial shortfall."
E.C.I.S.D. has been doing their best to retain every individual whose job has been cut.
Of the 104 jobs that were cut, only 5 employees weren't able to find another position -- and that's because they weren't certified for the positions that were available.
Some people were upset that they weren't told ahead of time that the contracts would be changed. E.C.I.S.D. says they understand people's anxiety but assure them they didn't send out a notice because they were just so busy dealing with ways to cut the budget without affecting anyone in the classroom.
The new wording of the contracts have many people worried that they leave the door open for more possible cuts. But even though the wording has changed, the contracts are very similar -- except for one thing.
One new line is added to the new contracts -- the additional provision. This says that the person receiving the contract is aware of the salary freeze and possible reduction or elimination of various benefits for next school year.
But teachers don't need to worry.
"Teachers have signed contracts for next year," said E.C.I.S.D. Director of Communications Mike Adkins. "Those can't be ended without going through the whole formal process of termination or non-renewal -- which is a very long, drawn out process that's specified by law. And if you have a contract, you have a job for next year."
"I'm here to tell you that our work is complete," said E.C.I.S.D. Superintendent Hector Mendez, "in terms of what we needed in order to address the state of financial shortfall."
E.C.I.S.D. has been doing their best to retain every individual whose job has been cut.
Of the 104 jobs that were cut, only 5 employees weren't able to find another position -- and that's because they weren't certified for the positions that were available.
Some people were upset that they weren't told ahead of time that the contracts would be changed. E.C.I.S.D. says they understand people's anxiety but assure them they didn't send out a notice because they were just so busy dealing with ways to cut the budget without affecting anyone in the classroom.
