Why couldn’t we just cut all Keller ISD salaries by 10 percent? That would be close to 20 million dollars and wouldn't most teachers would rather have a pay cut instead of losing their job?
Current state law would not allow a 10 percent reduction in salaries across the board.
The Texas Education Code, Section 21.402(d) requires districts to continue paying returning certified employees at least the same salary in future years as they receive in the 2010-11 school year:
"(d) A classroom teacher, full-time speech pathologist, full-time librarian, full-time counselor certified under Subchapter B, or full-time school nurse employed by a school district in the 2010-11 school year is, as long as the employee is employed by the same district, entitled to a salary that is at least equal to the salary the employee received for the 2010-11 school year."
Legislative action would be required to reduce the pay of the above listed employees which constitute the majority of Keller ISD's workforce.
UPDATE (4/6): While teacher salaries cannot be reduced, furlough days will likely be implemented for non-instructional employees during the next budget cycle.