The House Appropriations Committee has approved a bill which, if enacted, would drain balances from a number of Texas Education Agency (TEA) grant programs for the current school year. TEA Commissioner Robert Scott testified during consideration of this bill that the District Award for Teacher Excellence (DATE) program has the largest potential to absorb cuts. Should this bill clear the Texas Legislature in its current form and be signed by the Governor, a district might not receive the full amount of funding allocated in its notice of grant award for DATE. Districts may wish to consider accessing these funds for eligible expenses as soon as possible.
Beginning this May, HR Services will offer school districts a new way to help employees who have been laid off from their jobs and reduce their unemployment costs. The outplacement training is a one-day workshop for employees who are losing their jobs. TASB HR consultants will provide training and materials to help employees develop their job search skills, write résumés, and develop interview skills. Participants will receive links to the best online job search sites, plus coaching and counseling on techniques for landing a new job. The cost for this service is a base fee of $1,800 plus $25 for each participant. Capacity is limited. For more information or to schedule a workshop, call Ronda Bauman, HR consultant, at 800-580-7782 or send her an email 
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Our 441 district members that subscribe to DataCentral will receive notice of two new HR Survey topics to be posted the first week of May. Invitations to participate will be sent to our district program contacts. One survey, Substitute Teachers, will cover training, substitute pools, costs, and incentives. The other survey, Employment Contracts, covers the types and terms of contracts used for different positions.
Irving ISD Assistant Superintendent and long-time HR Services Advisory Committee Member Neil Dugger has announced plans to retire at the end of June. Dugger has been a great friend and resource for HR Services and we will miss his expertise and support.
