NEWS ITEM
October 17, 2008 - The Dallas Independent School District laid off 375 teachers and 40 counselors and assistant principals Thursday. They transferred 460 teachers to other schools within the district.
The deficit was caused by a massive miscalculation in the budget, CNN affiliate WFAA-TV reported.
Children, one crying, crowded Thursday around Mary Crose, a music teacher at San Jacinto Elementary School.Previous Layoffs
"I've had them since they were in kindergarten," she told The Dallas Morning News, as she wrapped her arms around two of the children. "We've been through a lot at our school, and it's going to be so hard. We need the prayers and support of everyone in Dallas."
"Why do you have to leave?" a girl wailed, through her tears.
The district has more than 11,500 teachers. Last week, 152 employees -- including clerks, office managers and teacher assistants -- voluntarily left their jobs, the district said. On September 29, 62 central staff members lost their jobs.
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The Dallas Independent School District is the nation's 12th largest, with more than 160,000 students. The projected deficit is $84 million.
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TT - Doing the math, it means there was one teacher for every 14 students before the layoffs. That seems to be an extravagance, to say the least.
But sadder yet, is the need to inflict the story on children.
