Hundreds of teachers in Dallas ISD are on the chopping block during this spring break.
Reasons for the cuts vary and include performance, classroom sizes shrinking, and plans to shut down 11 schools in DISD next fall.
The Alliance AFT, a teacher association, says it did not expect to see this many teachers would receive letters informing them they may not have a job next school year.
Somewhere between 200 and 300 teachers received a letter from the district right before spring break. The letters indicated either an intent to not renew, meaning teachers are eligible to find a job within the district, or a non-renewal, meaning they are released from their contract.
One of the teachers who received an intent to not renew letter spoke to NBC 5 anonymously. She is concerned revealing her identity may hurt her job prospects.
The teacher said she was heartbroken.
“I didn’t understand it, I was really upset. I feel like I’ve been cheated, betrayed, I worked so hard with these kids,” she said.
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George Rangel, executive director of Alliance AFT, says many teachers feel the same way.
“It’s a slap in the face, some of the teachers have dedicated themselves… this is their career,” Rangel said.
He says many called and emailed right after getting notice.
For those who got an intent to not renew, there is hope they can land a job at a job fair scheduled for Saturday, March 24 at Skyline High School.
According to Alliance AFT, if the teachers don't find a job by then, they will have until 90 days after the start of the school year to do so. If they don't, they will be released.
