School districts in Houston, statewide feel crushing effects of budget troubles

The 2011 cuts led school districts to lay off thousands of teachers, increase class sizes and cut programs. Some districts, including Conroe ISD, were able to stave off staff cuts by not replacing teachers and staff who left at the end of the 2010 school year. Alief ISD cut about 200 positions. “We’re not there yet in that scenario,” Alief ISD Superintendent HD Chambers said, “but it is not far off.