Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD) Superintendent Matias Segura has released the first phase of a recommended plan that proposes significant changes for several schools within the district. The recommendations, announced nine months after launching an initiative to address ongoing challenges in public education, include program relocations and school consolidations.
Segura stated, “This is a recommendation I believe moves our district forward toward stability, protects our values and puts our limited resources where they’re most needed. We knew this process would not be easy, but inaction is not an option if we want every Austin ISD student and family to have an excellent, well-resourced neighborhood school.”
A key focus of the plan is on meeting state-mandated turnaround and improvement plans (TAPs and TIPs), which are intended to ensure that schools meet state standards. According to Segura, “These plans will ensure we preserve and strengthen what makes us Austin ISD while fully committing the necessary resources to ensure student success.”
Under the proposal:
– Students from ten schools with state-mandated Turnaround Plans due to multiple years of unacceptable ratings would be reassigned.
– Students from six schools facing programmatic shifts—such as school-wide dual language, Montessori, and International High School programs—would also be reassigned.
If implemented, these changes would result in 3,796 students being reassigned and the elimination of 6,319 seats across the district.
Segura emphasized that more work remains: “We need more time to review and vet feedback and proposals for campus closures and boundary changes related to balancing enrollment. We’re committed to this work, especially creating aligned boundaries districtwide, and we will work with our Board of Trustees to determine a feasible timeline to bring these proposals to a vote.”
He also pledged transparency throughout the process: “I commit to you that this process will be done with fidelity, transparency, and with continued input from our school communities.”
The superintendent pointed out broader challenges facing Austin ISD such as declining enrollment numbers, rising costs in education, inadequate state funding levels, budget shortfalls, and increased requirements for academic achievement set by the state. Segura added: “I will not be the superintendent who shies away from hard decisions, especially when inaction can impact our classrooms and increase the possibility of state intervention.”
The next step is a Board of Trustees vote scheduled for November 20 on the turnaround and improvement plans. Segura concluded: “Together, we can create a future for Austin ISD that preserves what we love while addressing our budget realities. Most importantly, we will always move forward in a way that ensures every Austin ISD student has an excellent, well-resourced neighborhood school. Thank you for helping us achieve that goal.”
