The Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees recently discussed school improvement plans and received a district budget update as part of ongoing efforts to address accountability requirements and community engagement.
During the meeting, trustees reviewed turnaround plans that must be submitted to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The TEA requires these plans for schools that do not meet accountability ratings. There are six options in these plans: school improvement, district restart, partner-led restart, closure and reassign, district-led new school model, or partner-led new school model.
According to district officials, four Austin ISD schools will undergo a district restart: Linder Elementary School, Wooldridge Elementary School, Paredes Middle School, and Pecan Springs Elementary School. Key strategies for these campuses include expanding the lighthouse program, working with a technical partner, and applying for LASO and TEA Resource Designation grants.
Eight other schools—Barrington Elementary School, Bedichek Middle School, Dawson Elementary School, Oak Springs Elementary School, Martin Middle School, Sanchez Elementary School, Winn Montessori, and Widén Elementary School—will be closed and students reassigned. For these campuses near acceptable-rated schools, strategies involve using master scheduling to align effective teachers with high-need students and expanding differentiated instructional support for special education services.
A public hearing and board vote on the final turnaround action plans are scheduled for Thursday, November 20. The deadline to submit the approved plans to TEA is Friday, November 21.
Chief Financial Officer Katrina Montgomery updated trustees on the district’s budget situation. She reported that due to delays associated with Proposition 13 Homestead Exemption implementation by county and state officials, tax revenue may arrive later than usual this year. Despite this delay in receiving tax revenue typically collected in November, the district remains $35 million under budget so far this fiscal year.
In other business at the meeting, trustees authorized Anderson High School’s continuation of its International Baccalaureate Programme. This reauthorization occurs every five years. The IB Programme is described as “a comprehensive course of study designed for highly motivated students in their junior and senior year of high school. IB subjects focus on critical analysis, creative thinking and service learning with a globally-minded perspective.”
Upcoming dates include a Board Information Session on November 6 to discuss recommended turnaround plans along with proposed consolidation and boundary changes across the district. An in-person Q&A session is scheduled for November 8 to gather community feedback; more information can be found at https://www.austinisd.org/consolidate. The board will vote on proposed consolidation and boundary changes during its November 20 meeting.
