Houston fire department trying to avoid layoffs

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Intense negotiations between Houston city leaders and the firefighters union are entering the 11th hour and firefighters' jobs are at stake. The cash-strapped city and the union both agree that concessions are in order, but so far they have yet to reach a compromise on the nature of those concessions.

The talks got underway at around 10am. The union is worried that hundreds of firefighters could lose their jobs today.

At least 238 firefighters have already been put on notice that if the city and the union cannot come to an agreement, they will be laid off. The fight is over the nature of cuts that had already been agreed upon last week.

On Friday, it appeared the city and the union were in agreement over an estimated $13 million in cuts, but the union says it wants the cuts to be temporary, and to be reversed as the city's financial situation improves. The city says it wants them to be permanent.

Firefighters say any reduction in their numbers will put lives at risk.

"I need every one of those men and women with me on the job and on the line and so in that respect, I would be at risk, very much so, as would all of my other firefighters on scene with me," said Houston Firefighter Scott Wilke.

"It really doesn't make sense when you are saying we're going to do badly for two years and then by the city's own estimates and by their five year projection, we are going to do better in years 3, 4 and 5," said Jeffrey Caynon with the Houston Professional Firefighter's Union. "So why do you still need concessions from firefighters if you're going to do better?"

These talks could go on all day if a handshake agreement isn't reached the mayor has said layoffs will follow.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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HISD looking to hire 300 new teachers after layoffs

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Hundreds of Houston ISD teachers who were given layoff notices want to know why the district is looking to hire almost 300 new teachers next year.

A district spokesman says they have known from the initial rounds of layoffs, there would later be vacancies and this all has to do with the district being decentralized, meaning each principal makes their own cuts and does all their own hiring. The Houston school district informed about 950 teachers that this year would be their last. More than 700 of the layoffs, the district claims, are due to budget shortfalls. So when 286 vacancies were posted on its website on Monday, many frustrated teachers given those layoff notices began calling their union rep. "They were so upset and so demoralized, saying this is what we thought, they are just trying to run us out and try and hire first year teachers. And that's the prevailing view few out there whether or not it's fact," Houston Federation of Teachers President Gayle Fallon said. With HISD being decentralized, a teacher who is laid off at one school is not automatically transferred to another school with an opening. That teacher must interview with the new prospective principal again since each principal has autonomy on teacher hires. HISD tells us that the more than 700 laid off teachers will have first priority for the vacancies throughout the district. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Pearland ISD hoping to avoid teacher layoffs

PEARLAND, TX (KTRK) -- According to their website, the Pearland Independent School District is avoiding layoffs through budget reductions. However the administration is identifying positions and programs that may be eliminated to balance the district's budget.

Like many other school districts in our area, Pearland ISD faces a potential budget shortfall from state funding. That number is said to be around $12 million for Pearland ISD. Just last week, the district launched a search for a new superintendent. Pearland's previous superintendent resigned to accept a job in the Waco school district. We'll bring you more details today on Eyewitness News. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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Students walk off campus to protest teacher layoffs

KATY, TX (KTRK) -- Out of the classroom and crying out against district budget cuts -- students at three local high schools walked out of school in protest of the cuts that will cost hundreds of teachers their jobs. Facing huge budget shortfalls, school districts across southeast Texas are slashing spending and jobs.

Students in Katy ISD are speaking out about what they consider an unfair decision by the district. Katy ISD is facing a $50 million budget shortfall, due to cuts in funding from the state. Officials say 350 teachers have been given notice their jobs will not be renewed. An additional 224 teachers have already resigned or chosen to retire early.

Students at Morton Ranch, Cinco Ranch and Mayde Creek High Schools all walked left class Thursday to protest the cuts.

One large group of Morton Ranch High School students, estimated at 100 to 200 teens, stood outside the school Thursday morning to protest the district teachers who were laid off on Wednesday, and they can't understand why. Students complained that their teachers were called out of class. Some were immediately replaced by substitute teachers, while their own teachers left crying.

The district says teachers were not forced to leave school, but were given the option to leave for the day after receiving the difficult news, and so substitute teachers were standing by. Teachers will remain in class, employed, until the end of the school year.

"They fired good teachers that work hard and have helped me get through my high school so far," said Morton Ranch High School student Jacob Bushen.

"I think it was tasteless how they went about letting the teachers go," Morton Ranch High School parent Bonnie Hoyt. "These kids shouldn't be exposed to teachers getting laid off in front of them, teachers walking out and crying, teachers leaving the classroom. I've been laid off before and I know how it feels. They should have waited until Friday and early dismissal to let the teachers get their thoughts together. These kids don't have to be exposed to such a thing."

Katy ISD spokesperson Steve Stanford explained, "They are seeing firsthand, where a budget situation in Austin is impacting the teachers that they love and they hate to see go. We understand that emotion. The superintendent understands that emotion. In fact, he shares that emotion and is going out to the campus later today."

District officials say they were surprised by the protest. Students say they organized it quickly on Facebook and other social media. There will be no disciplinary action to the students. The district considers this a learning experience.

Officials add that the teachers who were laid off had probationary contracts, meaning they were relatively new to teaching or to Katy ISD.

If you captured any video or photos of the walkouts Thursday, please email them to news@abc13.com or upload them on our iWitness Reports page.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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