UPDATE: Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura has just announced a significant shift in the district’s boundary change plans, postponing crucial decisions until next fall. The decision follows intense community feedback and reflects ongoing concerns over declining enrollment and a staggering $20 million budget shortfall.
During a board meeting on Tuesday night, Segura confirmed the removal of three schools—Palm Elementary, Bryker Woods Elementary, and Maplewood Elementary—from the closure list, which initially included 13 schools. This change is a response to mounting pressure from parents and board members who are advocating for alternatives to school closures.
“It’s not lost on me that these decisions that we’re making are not, you know, short-term decisions,” Segura stated. “These decisions and the changes that we’re recommending will change the district, really forever.” The urgency of this matter is underscored by the upcoming vote on turnaround plans scheduled for November 20, 2023, with crucial submissions due to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) by November 21.
The district’s leadership is under scrutiny as several staff members have been placed on leave amidst the boundary change discussions. Community members are rallying for a focus on enhancing educational quality rather than enforcing closures. Rebecca Steen, a parent at Becker Elementary, expressed her hopes for the upcoming vote, emphasizing, “We need less people at the central office, and we need more teachers in the classrooms.”
In a show of solidarity, residents gathered at three Kerbey Lane locations for a spirit night, with 10% of proceeds benefiting the ten schools on the consolidation list. Briana Rubin, a parent from Bryker Woods Elementary, highlighted the community’s commitment: “I think it’s ever most important to come together as one giant community and lift one another up.”
As the vote approaches, the district continues to gather input from parents and students, demonstrating a commitment to refining its plans based on community feedback. Segura reassured stakeholders, stating, “Just to be really clear, this work is continuing, it is not canceled.”
The implications of these decisions are profound, affecting not just the schools involved but the entire Austin ISD community. The spotlight remains on the district as it navigates this complex situation, with parents eagerly awaiting the outcome of the upcoming vote.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Austin ISD works to align its school system and improve educational outcomes across the community.
