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Residents urge Denton ISD voters to approve Proposition A, citing $15 million shortfall
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Summary
At an Oct. 14 Denton ISD board meeting, multiple residents urged passage of Proposition A, saying the district faces a projected $15,000,000 deficit that could lead to teacher layoffs, larger class sizes and delayed school openings; speakers encouraged turnout ahead of early voting and the Nov. 4 election.
Several Denton residents urged the school board and the community to support Proposition A during the public comment period at the Oct. 14 Denton ISD board meeting, saying local revenue is necessary to avert cuts that would directly affect students and staff.
"Right now, Denton ISD is facing a $15,000,000 deficit due to inflation and underfunded mandates," Jackie DeMontmoreland told the board, adding that the district had already made nearly $40,000,000 in cuts over the past two years. "The next cuts, if Prop A does not pass, will directly impact teachers and kids," she said, urging neighbors to advocate for the measure at the ballot box.
Greg Pedalik described what he called a "poison pill effect" if the measure fails, warning the district could eliminate "more than 250 class positions," force teachers to teach additional periods and delay openings of new schools. "Fewer educators mean larger class sizes, less individual attention and fewer opportunities for small group instruction," Pedalik said.
A speaker who identified himself as Mike Mattingly emphasized classroom impacts: increasing class sizes would reduce planning time and complicate labs and essay grading, he said, while Rebecca Bertone raised a related, national concern about staffing in special education after reporting on federal layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education that could affect grant administration.
Board members and district officials reiterated the fiscal context discussed earlier in the meeting, including a presentation that noted days cash on hand and multi-year fund-balance trends. The board reminded the public of a final Prop A informational session scheduled for Oct. 15 at Geyer High School at 6:30 p.m., and of early voting beginning the following Monday, ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
The public comments did not produce formal board action during the meeting; speakers asked the community to turn out and vote.
Election and outreach details: the district said early voting would begin the week after the meeting and Election Day is Nov. 4. The board's informational session schedule and local outreach were highlighted as opportunities for voters to learn more.
