Stories by Claire McInerny, KUT
A new Austin ISD superintendent won’t be hired until next summer
The Austin Independent School District will hire an interim superintendent for the next school year after Stephanie Elizalde leaves June 30. Elizalde has been named the lone finalist for the superintendent job in Dallas ISD. “After the interim superintendent is hired,…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • May 31, 2022
With PE required each day next fall, it’s up to Austin elementary schools to find time for art and music
Principal Katie Peña stands in the entrance to the gym at Highland Park Elementary School in Northwest Austin. It’s a bright and colorful room, with a mural covering one wall. Students sit on the floor socializing. Because it’s a small…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Apr 13, 2022
Austin ISD will make cuts at Central Office instead of reducing class periods at middle and high schools
The Austin Independent School District said it will not reduce the number of class periods at the middle and high school levels next year – a proposal floated as a way to save money. “I wanted to lower everyone’s anxiety and…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Dec 14, 2021
Low enrollment might force Austin ISD to make budget cuts
After seeing a continued dip in enrollment, Austin ISD is asking for feedback on its budget for next school year, which will likely include cuts. School districts get money from the state based on how many students are enrolled; when…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Nov 29, 2021
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Austin ISD didn't increase enrollment this year, meaning staff won't get annual raises
The Austin Independent School District didn’t meet its enrollment goals for this school year, according to data collected for the state in October. The school district lost thousands of students last school year during the Covid-19 pandemic and was hoping…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Nov 10, 2021
Mask mandate was the right decision to keep students safe, Austin ISD superintendent says
State leaders made it hard to keep students safe this school year, Austin ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said Tuesday during her state of the district address. Elizalde said she wasn’t expecting Gov. Greg Abbott or Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Oct 20, 2021
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85 families at affordable apartment complex told they must leave due to winter storm damage
More than 85 families at an affordable housing complex in Southeast Austin are being evicted this month after the management company told them it needs to do repairs caused by February’s winter storm. Capstone Real Estate Services, which manages Rosemont…
Housing • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jul 8, 2021
Austin ISD lost thousands of students during the pandemic. It's going door to door to bring them back.
Fifty Austin ISD staff members gather outside Mendez Middle School in Southeast Austin on Saturday, fueling up for the day with breakfast tacos and coffee. The group is made up of central office staff, teachers and volunteers. The plan is…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jul 2, 2021
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Austin ISD is sued over backlog of special education evaluations
An advocacy group for people with disabilities filed a lawsuit Monday claiming the Austin Independent School District is “failing thousands of students” by not evaluating them for special education within a specific amount of time. KUT reported earlier this month that…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Mar 30, 2021
'Panic mode': Austin ISD needs to evaluate 800 students for special ed. It doesn't have the staff to do it.
More than 800 students in the Austin Independent School District are being denied their legal right to a special education evaluation. An evaluation is the first step in the process to get special education services. Without one, there is no…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Mar 11, 2021
Four seats on the Austin ISD school board are up for election. Here's who's running.
Four seats on the nine-member board of the Austin Independent School District are up for election in November. The school board is a group of volunteers who oversee policies and finances in the district. They approve the yearly budget, hire…
Elections • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Oct 13, 2020
Austin ISD plans to bring a small group of students back to schools in October
Lee esta historia en español. When the Austin Independent School District begins phasing students back into school buildings Oct. 5, it will prioritize special education and lower grade levels within each school as the first to return. At a school…
