In the first meeting of 2017, Austin Independent School District staff presented mixed news to the board of trustees in its annual demographic report. This report is used to predict 10-year student enrollment trends within the district based on housing and mobility data. At Monday’s meeting, Beth Wilson, the district’s assistant director for planning services, […]
Courtney Griffin
Posted inWhispers
AISD approves developing District of Innovation plan
At Monday’s special meeting, the Austin Independent School District board of trustees voted 7-0-1 to develop a District of Innovation plan for AISD and its campuses. Vice President Paul Saldaña abstained, saying he did not have enough information to comfortably place his vote. At-Large Trustee Gina Hinojosa was absent. Texas lawmakers created the “District of […]
Posted inCity Council, Elections, Uncategorized
Pool wins District 7
Tuesday night, incumbent Leslie Pool easily won her District 7 seat for City Council against challenger and political newcomer Natalie Gauldin. Early voting results Tuesday evening solidly placed her in the lead by 40 percent, giving rise to dinnertime cheers from her supporters. “Leslie has been a huge champion of workers,” said Jeremy Hendricks, business […]
Posted inWhispers
AISD superintendent gets raise, contract extension
At last week’s regular Monday meeting of the Austin Independent School District board of trustees, members approved a 4 percent salary increase and a two-year contract extension for district Superintendent Paul Cruz. The motion passed 6-0-3, with District 1 Trustee Edmund Gordon, President Kendall Pace and District 7 Trustee Yasmin Wagner abstaining. Gordon said he […]
Posted inWhispers
AISD takes first step toward affordable housing
The Austin Independent School District trustees approved a resolution last week that basically states they are interested and willing partners with the city and Travis County in the quest for more affordable housing for municipal workers. The motion was approved at the board’s regular Monday meeting in an 8-0-1 vote, with District 5 Trustee Amber […]
Posted inWhispers
AISD enrollment exceeds projections, still declines
The Austin Independent School District reported Wednesday that its student enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year has exceeded projections as AISD serves about 83,200 students instead of the estimated 82,700 projected. Nevertheless while good news, student enrollment is still down slightly compared to the 83,800 served this time last year. AISD’s decline in enrollment has […]
Posted inAISD
AISD greenlights new scorecard
At Monday’s regular board meeting, Austin Independent School District trustees unanimously approved the new district scorecard, a steering document that will be used to evaluate Superintendent Paul Cruz’s performance in the future. The scorecard uses new initiatives to promote the desegregation of AISD schools, create data-driven metrics and improve the quality of teaching at failing schools. […]
Posted inElections
Seven residents vie for AISD seats
Today marks the first day of early voting, and the Austin Independent School District board of trustees has five seats up for grabs, with seven residents vying for spots. However, only two seats are being contested. Cindy Anderson and David Quintanilla both filed for Gina Hinojosa’s seat, at-large position eight. Hinojosa held the at-large seat […]
Posted inWhispers
AISD puts 10 properties on market
The Austin Independent School District on Monday finally put 10 of its properties up for sale, lease or other civic-minded proposals after trustees discussed the possibility in March. The details of the request for proposals and invitation for bids can be found here. A pre-bid conference open to all interested parties will be held on Tuesday, […]
Posted inAISD
AISD backs off city amendment, for now
A potential disagreement between the city and Austin Independent School District board of trustees and staff was put on hold at the AISD board’s regular Monday meeting last week, when a motion to send a letter of opposition to City Council and the city’s Planning Commission failed in a rare vote of 0-4-3. The letter […]
Posted inWhispers
AISD moves forward with innovation district
On Monday, the Austin Independent School District board of trustees gave staff the go-ahead to begin moving forward with possibly implementing a new state designation, campus or district-wide. The new designation was created in the last legislative session and allows a public school district to become a “District of Innovation.” This designation gives school districts […]
Posted inWhispers
AISD staff to testify on school finance
Nicole Conley, chief financial officer for the Austin Independent School District, is scheduled to testify at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28 in front of a joint meeting of the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Public Education. State representatives are set to discuss Additional State Aid for Tax […]