Community Members in Cy-Fair ISD Criticize Trustees and State Leaders for Librarian Cuts, According to Houston Public Media

Cy-Fair ISD Faces Backlash Over Elimination of 50 Librarian Positions

Community members, educators, parents, and students in Cy-Fair ISD are up in arms after the district announced the elimination of 50 librarian positions due to a budget shortfall. At a school board workshop, speakers criticized both district leaders and Texas state officials for failing to provide adequate funding for public schools.

The state’s per-student allotment has remained stagnant since 2019, despite a significant budget surplus. The lack of additional funding has forced Cy-Fair ISD to make tough decisions, including reducing librarian positions from 92 to 42. Superintendent Doug Killian cited attendance declines, inflation, and funding shortfalls as reasons for the cuts.

Students, including Cy-Fair High School student Mo Hatfield and middle school student Zoe Lang, spoke out against the decision, highlighting the importance of librarians in their schools. Lang, who is autistic, emphasized the role of her school librarian in creating a safe space for her.

Parents like Joshua Allen expressed concern over the impact of the cuts on students’ access to resources and intellectual growth. They called on the school board to demand more funding from state leaders and warned that their inaction could lead to consequences at the ballot box.

The controversy has reignited the debate over public education funding in Texas, with critics accusing Governor Abbott and Republican officials of manufacturing the budget crisis. As tensions escalate, the future of public education in Cy-Fair ISD hangs in the balance.