Fort Worth ISD board approves reporting teachers who broke contracts

The Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers voted on Tuesday to approve reporting teachers to the state who broke their contracts early.

Under state law, educators who abandon their contracts after a deadline of 45 calendar days prior to the start of school could be subject to penalties, including potentially having their teaching certification revoked for one year.

There are a few exceptions to the law, which include health conditions, relocation for a spouse’s career change or caring for a sick family member.

All members of the board of managers voted to approve the reporting of teachers, except for Rosa Maria Berdeja. When Berdeja announced she would not vote to approve the item, the audience erupted in claps and cheers.

On most major action items, the board has voted unanimously.

“I feel that extending grace and exercising discretion in this unique moment in time and in the history of our district would serve both our educators and our district, and for that reason, I am not able to support this action item,” Berdeja said.

Berdeja added that though she believes educators should honor their commitments, the district has made “unprecedented” changes during the state takeover, and that teachers who no longer agreed with its mission should be able to leave and not face sanctions.

According to the Superintendent Peter Licata, 45 teachers broke their contracts and resigned after the deadline of 45 days prior to the start of school. Of those 45, 36 were approved and nine were not, Licata said.

Board member Laurie George said that during the executive session, which lasted over an hour, every case was individually considered.

Licata said that every teacher who broke their contract was contacted requesting reasoning, and they did not all respond.

“When you make a commitment, you make a commitment to teach children,” Licata said. “You’re not going to leave the classroom because you didn’t want to be here, or you want to go to a different district for more money or less money or whatever the case may be, commit to it. These are kids.”