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Stories by Becky Fogel, KUT

Eanes ISD school board votes to combine two elementary schools to save money

The Eanes ISD school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to close Valley View Elementary as part of an effort to reduce an estimated $6.5 million budget deficit. District officials said closing the campus, which is currently at 50 percent of its operational…

Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jan 16, 2025

$17.8 million in food funding for Austin-area kids is on the line when the Legislature convenes

A federal food assistance program could provide families in Hays, Williamson and Travis counties with more than $17.8 million to feed their kids over the summer if Texas decides to participate. But that’s a big if. The Texas Health and…

Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jan 15, 2025

How Austin ISD is lowering its chronic absenteeism rate, which more than doubled during the pandemic

When Austin ISD students Jonnell and Layth started middle school a few years ago, their attendance was on the spottier side. Jonnell said she didn’t like going because it wasn’t easy to get along with some of her classmates at…

AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Dec 19, 2024

Voters will choose Austin ISD school board trustee to represent entire district in runoff election

Voters living within Austin ISD’s boundaries will elect a new school board member after none of the six candidates running for at-large position 8 got enough votes to win the Nov. 5 election outright. Fernando Lucas de Urioste and Lindsey Stringer, the…

Elections • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Dec 4, 2024

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As voters weigh higher tax rate for Austin public schools, group of former trustees raises concerns

Voters are deciding whether to approve a tax rate increase that would generate new revenue for Central Texas’ largest public school district as it grapples with a $119 million budget deficit. Austin Independent School District officials have said that shortfall…

Bonds & Propositions • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Oct 28, 2024

Austin ISD settles lawsuit over delayed special ed evaluations, creates fund for affected students

A federal court signed off on a settlement Wednesday between Disability Rights Texas and Austin ISD over its backlog of special education evaluations. The settlement requires the district to establish a fund to help cover the cost of services for students who…

Courts • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Sep 6, 2024

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Will free tuition help more students pursue higher ed? Austin Community College hopes so.

The summer before Xavier Daniels’ senior year was all about having fun. He traveled to Japan and New York and visited family in Massachusetts. But this summer was different. The 18-year-old said when he graduated from Leander High School, it…

Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Aug 27, 2024

Austin ISD is asking voters to approve a new tax rate to help fund pay raises, reduce deficit

The Austin ISD school board is asking voters to approve a higher property tax rate in November that would increase the district’s revenue by tens of millions of dollars. That money would be used to give more than 60 percent…

AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Aug 21, 2024

Austin Community College board approves 4.5% raise, increasing hourly minimum wage to $23

The Austin Community College District Board of Trustees on Monday approved a 4.5 percent across-the-board raise for employees. The new compensation package also increases the hourly minimum wage from $22 to $23, which also works out to a 4.5 percent…

Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jul 3, 2024

Austin ISD’s budget deficit means staff pay will barely budge without voter help

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve a 2024-25 budget that will require the district to dip into its savings account to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Austin ISD’s annual operating budget will total nearly $954 million after a vote on…

AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jun 24, 2024

Why do so many Austin-area school districts have budget deficits?

Lee esta historia en español At an Austin ISD school board meeting back in March, Trustee Candace Hunter shared a sobering message. “There is no rescue coming. There’s no one coming to save us. It’s only going to get worse,” she said.…

Budget • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jun 21, 2024

An Austin-area school district says staff need a break, so it’s going to offer mental health days

Manor ISD is rolling out a new benefit during the 2024-2025 school year that will give employees time off to take care of their mental health. Superintendent Robert Sormani said he thinks it’s important to explicitly offer days off that are dedicated…

Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • May 9, 2024

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