Houston ISD: Layoffs Coming Soon?

There is an article today concerning work hours that will be cut in the food service department of the Houston Independent School District. While there are apparently budget shortfalls requiring some action, it does appear that the board is going to go after those employees that have the least resources available to defend themselves. Anybody that works in an education environment knows darn well that the "lunch ladies" are a vital part of the educational team. Many kids come to school without having had anything to eat (for numerous reasons) and a good breakfast has been proven to help keep the mind alert for learning. Same for lunch. While the quality of the food served is not going to measure up to any halfway decent restaurant, that is beside the point. The food is "fuel for the day" so to speak. I am sure that the HISD board has all the usual "there will be no let down in productivity in the food service dept" public relations bull available to broadcast (to anyone who cares to listen), but everyone knows that this is nonsense. Support staff are as important to the educational process as teachers themselves. What is not as productive to the process are the number of administrators. Lets be honest here, quite a few of those in management in a large district really do not have anything to do that is of any real consequence or value to the educational process. Indeed in quite a number of cases they are little more than a hindrance. Perhaps the board should take a look at some of these extremely well paid positions that in reality are of little benefit. That is where real money could be saved instead of cutting the hours of the "lunch ladies."