The Austin Independent School District (AISD) has announced the resumption of its work on boundary changes and school consolidations, following the conclusion of an internal investigation into the integrity of its consolidation process. Superintendent Matias Segura communicated these updates to the AISD community as part of ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to quality neighborhood schools.
According to Segura, concerns about the integrity of the consolidation process surfaced in early November after an internal meeting report prompted questions. This led to a pause in some aspects of the work and an internal investigation supported by the Office of the General Counsel. “I couldn’t, in good conscience, bring forward a recommendation tied to the full consolidation plan until we could determine that our process was completed with fidelity to our agreed-upon rubric and framework,” Segura stated.
The investigation found that “the integrity of the process was maintained throughout the entire process.” During this period, two employees who led consolidation efforts—Ali Ghilarducci and Raechel French—were placed on administrative leave as a standard practice based on allegations raised. “Based on the investigation’s outcome, both employees have returned to work in their roles, in good standing, with our full confidence and support,” Segura said.
Segura acknowledged that “the sudden pause placed strain on our families, staff and the community at large,” noting that uncertainty regarding school closures and boundary changes is challenging for all involved. He emphasized that it was important not to proceed without ensuring alignment with community-created frameworks.
Looking ahead, AISD plans to resume engagement around districtwide boundary changes and academic framework development in spring 2026. Conversations with the board about potential future consolidations will continue throughout this period. An anticipated board vote on new recommendations is scheduled for October 2026, with any approved changes set for implementation during the 2027-28 school year.
“Thank you for your patience and for holding us to the high standards we set for ourselves. We look forward to re-engaging with you this spring and continuing to support our families through this period of transition and transformation,” Segura concluded.
Austin ISD is one of Texas’ largest public school districts, serving more than 72,000 students across 116 diverse campuses—including elementary, middle, high schools as well as specialized academies—and employing over 5,000 classroom teachers. The district supports a multicultural environment where over 100 languages are spoken by students and offers instruction in 11 languages other than English. With a graduation rate of 93.3 percent, AISD partners with families and communities to prepare students for college, careers, and life (https://www.austinisd.org/).
