How was it paid for? Amid budget woes, Fort Worth ISD convocation cost nearly $200,000
Fort Worth ISD kicked off the school year with a full-staff convocation at Dickies Arena on Aug. 5, and the large production raised questions about costs.
About 11,000 Fort Worth ISD employees, wearing matching district t-shirts, were greeted at convocation with fanfare, including a live 13-member band and a hired motivational speaker.
According to information obtained by CBS News Texas, the grand total of the convocation was $188,916.12, with $90,000 paid by donors and $98,916.12 paid by Fort Worth ISD.
Here's a breakdown of the costs:
- Venue (Dickies Arena): $94,311.28
- Entertainment (Emerald City Band): $10,000
- Swag-Rally towels: $14,630
- T-shirts: $62,999.84
- Photographer: $975
- Motivational speaker: $6,000
"Today is more than an event," Superintendent Dr. Pete Licata said at the convocation. "It is a launch, a launch into a new school year filled with possibility, purpose, and the power of what we can accomplish together."
As of June 23, the school board voted to adopt a nearly $1 billion budget, which includes a $49.8 million deficit.
The district sent a statement to CBS News Texas. It reads in part:
"We recognize our responsibility to be thoughtful stewards of public resources. Convocation was an investment in preparing and aligning the thousands of educators and employees responsible for serving Fort Worth ISD students every day.
"As Fort Worth ISD moves forward under state intervention, our focus remains where it belongs: improving student outcomes, supporting our educators and staff, strengthening accountability and ensuring our organization is aligned around the work necessary to deliver stronger results for students and families."
District seeing uptick in teacher resignations amid takeover
The district is under a state takeover and facing scrutiny. It's reported that more than 1,000 teachers have left the district since January.
Days before the new school year, the district announced that all vacancies were filled, but with less than two weeks until the first day of school, more teachers may decide to move. The district said they've received dozens of late resignations, several of which will be reported to the state for contract abandonment.
