English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Mesquite, TX

The Mesquite Independent School District announced on Tuesday that it will cut $24 million from the 2026-27 school year budget, including staff layoffs, to address declining enrollment and rising costs.

The district said the budget cuts and layoffs will stabilize its finances, ensure long-term stability and address a "growing gap between enrollment, staffing and available revenue."

"Like many school districts across Texas, we are facing financial pressures driven by declining enrollment, rising operational costs, and state funding that has not kept pace with inflation," Superintendent Dr. Ángel Rivera said. "These steps allow us to move forward in a responsible and sustainable way."

Student enrollment has dropped in recent years due to lower birth rates and more school choice options, while rising costs for salaries, insurance, utilities, and supplies strain budgets, Mesquite ISD said, adding that staffing accounts for roughly 85% of the district's operating expenses.

District leaders said some roles will be eliminated and that they recognize the impact that will have. In a statement, the district pledged clear communication and support for those affected.

"All term-contract employees will have a position for the 2026–27 school year, the district said, while at-will employees in discontinued roles will be encouraged to apply for other openings within the district," a statement from the district reads.

"I've been communicating through either the board updates, through emails, and I personally promised you that when decisions were made, you were going to hear directly from me," Rivera said.

He said all those impacted will get notified by February 13. The district is also offering $250 incentive for early notification for employees who plan to retire.

Rivera said that the plan was created with input from staff, a strategic budget committee, and external financial studies.

"These are difficult decisions, and we don't take their impact lightly, but every step we're taking is focused on protecting students, learning, and the future of our district," Rivera said.

Historically, Mesquite ISD said, its employees leaving exceed the number of positions being eliminated.

The budget cuts include:

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Dallas Regional Medical Center said the staff member, who appeared to slow-roll a Black mother’s admission, is no longer on staff.

A Dallas Regional Medical Center staff member featured in a viral video of a Black mom in labor is “no longer employed” by the hospital, according to the facility.

In a statement, the Mesquite hospital did not specify whether the staff member was fired, resigned or retired.

“The individual shown in the video did not reflect our values or uphold our standards and is no longer employed at Dallas Regional Medical Center,” the statement read.

“The actions of this former staff member do not reflect the commitment of the tens of thousands who provide compassionate care every day serving their communities.”

In November, a North Texas woman posted a video on social media showing her adult daughter screaming through contractions while a hospital staff member appeared to slow-roll her admission.

In the video, which was viewed and reposted widely on social media, the family wrote that the woman in labor, Kiara Jones, was made to wait 30 minutes before being admitted. She then gave birth 12 minutes later, according to the video.

The video showed Jones in a waiting area of the hospital, twisting in a wheelchair as she yelled through the pain, while a hospital staff member calmly asked her questions about her pregnancy.

“When’s your due date?” “How many times have you been pregnant?” “You have two babies at home?” “Who’s your doctor?”

The video garnered tens of millions of views, sparking outrage and conversation about the treatment of Black women, especially Black mothers, in medical settings.

For more than two weeks, the medical center did not expand on an initial statement sent to The Dallas Morning News. The day after Thanksgiving, attorneys for Jones requested a meeting with the hospital to discuss the situation and potential financial compensation.

Then, on Tuesday evening, the hospital sent out a new statement through spokesperson Vince Falsarella.

In addition to noting that the staff member in the video is no longer a hospital employee, the statement also said the hospital has begun training for other staff.

“We take the actions seen in the video seriously,” the statement said.

“We have initiated training in recognizing the signs of imminent delivery, empathy, and compassionate care, as well as bias training for our staff and caregivers to ensure our values are upheld in every encounter.”

Falsarella did not immediately reply to a request Wednesday morning for more information on how the former staff member exited her role.

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