CCISD gives update on campus consolidation plans, outlines impact on employees

The Corpus Christi Independent School District is providing new details on how its ongoing campus consolidations will affect employees, as hundreds of staff members prepare for changes ahead of the next school year.

RELATED: CCISD votes to close all 7 campuses up for consolidation

As the district moves forward with its plan, many employees are being reassigned to different campuses across the district.

CCISD Chief Human Resources Officer Debbie Lara says the district has already made significant progress in placing affected employees.

“We have since reassigned about 360 of those 420 employees. The others we are still working through assignments for for the new school year. We have 11 right now that we are still working with,” she said.

Lara says employees impacted by consolidation must still formally apply for positions but are being given priority consideration.

“We met with each of the staff members at each campus and assured them that everyone had priority rights for the new school year, which assured that they have a job,” she said.

However, Nancy Vera with the Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers says reassignment does not necessarily mean employees will keep the same roles they previously held.

“Then they have to figure out, well I’m Department Chair, am I going to be the Department Chair at this other school? Or is that department chair at that other school who is already there going to have it over me?” she said.

Vera says that uncertainty can take a toll on staff.

“Causes anxiety, angst, and all sorts of things in the minds of the teachers. That’s the problem with consolidation and that’s the problem with consolidating faculty and staff,” she said.

Lara says the district has safeguards in place to help employees who may be reassigned into lower-paying roles.

“Being identified for a reassignment that would result in a lowered pay grade position. We freeze their pay at their current annual salary for one year to allow them some time, to allow us some time as well to identify a comparable job,” she said.

District leaders say they are confident in their ability to place staff members and will continue working through remaining assignments. CCISD will also host recruitment days, with the next scheduled for April 25 at Carroll High School.