The Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees met on October 29 to review and discuss the Draft School Consolidation and Boundary Change Plan. The meeting was held as a workshop to gather input from trustees and the community, with staff working to incorporate suggestions into future versions of the plan.
Superintendent Matias Segura presented updates and clarifications based on feedback received from over 7,200 comment card submissions. “Based on community and trustee feedback, and more than 7,200 comment card submissions, staff are working to incorporate feasible ideas and suggestions into the revised plan. For some more in-depth requests, the administration would need additional time to explore and report the feasibility,” Segura said.
Several proposed refinements were outlined during the workshop. These include:
– Continuation Transfers (previously called “grandfathering”) will now cover rising 6th and 9th graders if their feeder school changes.
– Transfer students at schools slated for closure or program change will be allowed to remain with their peers at new locations. If a closed campus is split among multiple schools, these students can rank their preferred school.
– Pre-K students may continue at their current campus.
– Staff and sibling transfer requests will be automatically approved unless transfers are restricted by the superintendent.
– Students in attendance zones for new districtwide dual language programs will receive transportation services.
– Joslin Language Immersion students and new districtwide Montessori students will also receive transportation unless they live within two miles of campus or in a designated hazardous area.
– Current third or fourth graders not enrolled in dual language may join temporary English/ESL cohorts at non-zoned dual language campuses.
– Mandarin instruction would be added at Wooten Elementary School.
Board members discussed logistical challenges related to possible school closures, such as student reassignment plans and managing specialized programs like dual language and Montessori education.
One topic was relocating Winn Montessori program from Govalle Elementary School as initially proposed; alternatives such as Zavala or Ortega elementary schools are being considered because Govalle’s building was developed collaboratively with its community.
A potential repurposing of Martin Middle School was also discussed. Under this option, Garza Independence High School could move to Martin’s site—expanding into a grades 6–12 program—as early as the 2026–27 school year. The Alternative Learning Center currently housed at Mendez Middle School would then relocate to Garza’s site, possibly allowing Mendez to become a Pre-K–8 campus in future years.
Trustees reviewed options for resolving Small Middle School’s three-way split among Crockett Early College High School, Bowie High School, and Austin High School. They examined trade-offs involving student disruption, transportation needs, equity concerns in rezoned areas, and how surrounding schools might be affected.
Another boundary adjustment under consideration involves shifting students living in Becker’s attendance zone from Zilker Elementary to Galindo Elementary instead. This reassignment would mean Joslin students would go to Cunningham and Zilker rather than Cunningham and Galindo. Before finalizing any recommendations, administrators intend to assess required support levels for Galindo Elementary.
Trustees have also asked for an analysis of what a one-year delay in consolidations might entail after hearing calls from many community members for more time before changes take effect.
“Administrators will continue testing for the feasibility of new ideas and incorporating them into new drafts,” according to district officials.
Key upcoming dates include:
– November 6: Board discussion on recommended turnaround plans alongside consolidation proposals during an information session
– November 8: In-person Q&A session for community feedback (more details available at https://www.austinisd.org/consolidate)
– November 20: Scheduled board vote on proposed consolidation plan
A recording of the full workshop discussion is available on Austin ISD’s YouTube page.
