Stories by Becky Fogel, KUT
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
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
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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
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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
Austin ISD plans to cut at least $30 million from its next budget
The Austin Independent School District is working on ways to cut its $60 million budget deficit in half during the next school year, while trying to limit the impact it will have on classrooms. Austin ISD is one of the…
AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Apr 29, 2024
Travis County DA faces removal attempt under Texas law targeting 'rogue' prosecutors
A Travis County resident is seeking to remove progressive District Attorney José Garza from office using a 2023 Texas law aimed at limiting the discretion of locally elected prosecutors. A state district judge in Comal County on Friday appointed an attorney to…
