Fort Bend County ISD made a decision to create a variety of educational experiences by setting up Academies with specific educational goals and experience throughout the district. These schools within schools set high academic standards for students and require a high level of commitment. Students undergo a rigorous application and review to be considered for admissions. Once they are accepted, many children must commute long distances to reach their school. Parents also make a significant commitment to support their students in order to receive a specialized education.

Actions from the Texas Legislature are cutting major funding for public education. As a result, the Fort Bend County Independent School District is slashing budgets and reducing head counts. Tough decisions are being made concerning teacher retention and campus assignments. As we understand, staffing decisions are made by the district following a system based on seniority and not performance in the classroom. This will be disruptive to the educational purpose of the Academies. Each Academy has expectations that the students are required to meet above and beyond the standard graduation requirements. As parents, we have an expectation of excellence in instruction.

At no cost to the district, staffing assignments for the Academy should be made on campus. In order to maintain the expectation of excellence, we the undersigned request that Academy administrators should be able to select and retain Academy teachers.

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