Austin Independent School District board members approached student transfer policies last Monday with a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer, with the goal of trying to ease high enrollment in certain schools. After much discussion, they ended the meeting with an acknowledgment that they had a lot more work to do. Board members took the lead […]
Courtney Griffin
Posted inWhispers
Saldaña proposes sale of AISD headquarters
Austin Independent School District board member Paul Saldaña says he will propose that AISD sell its downtown administrative headquarters to cover all or part of the district’s looming budget shortfall. Saldaña made the comments to publisher Mike Kanin on the Austin Monitor Radio show (KOOP FM 91.7), which aired Wednesday. The show’s topic was the […]
Posted inEnvironment, Planning
Concerns raised over 18-foot-wide trail design
A proposed urban trail that is as wide as a city street became an issue Wednesday, after residents voiced concern about the pathway’s design. During an April 1 meeting, Environmental Board members heard an update on the Upper Boggy Creek Trail design. The Public Works Department is gathering input from the city’s boards and commissions on […]
Posted inWhispers
Environmental Board clarifies requirements
At its April 1 meeting, Austin’s Environmental Board clarified a December 2014 ordinance, which outlined board membership requirements. The issue was brought before the board by Chuck Lesniak, an environmental officer with the city. The ordinance in question could be interpreted to mean that the board is requiring some members to have a desire in the […]
Posted inRoads, Transportation
City says SH45 SW environmental study unsound
Austin’s Environmental Board is looking at its options after hearing from city staff that the approved environmental impact study, or EIS, for State Highway 45 Southwest is not based on sound science. The EIS was prepared by TxDOT and CTRMA, with assistance from consultants. Chuck Lesniak, environmental officer with the City of Austin, presented the news […]
Posted inAISD
AISD cautiously expands dual language program
The Austin Independent School District board of trustees decided Monday to extend its dual English and Spanish language program to two additional middle schools, but not before criticizing the administration’s lack of evidence supporting the expansion and a faulty application process. The board voted 6-3 at its regular meeting to have Lamar and Paredes join […]
Posted inWhispers
CapMetro breaks record for ridership
Capital Metro officials have reported that the agency had record-breaking ridership on its buses and trains from March 13-22, corresponding with the main stretch of South by Southwest 2015. The agency provided extended services to help relieve some of the congestion caused by the event, which equated to 1,700 additional hours of service. Several MetroRapid bus […]
Posted inAISD
AISD to move forward with equity assessment
The Austin Independent School District Board decided Monday to move forward with a self-assessment on educational equity in the district, although what that assessment will look like is still in the works. The board voted 7-1, with District 7 board member Robert Schneider opposing. “I am in a very, very different place,” said Schneider. “As […]
Posted inAISD
AISD committee tweaks equity presentation
The Austin Independent School District’s ad hoc Historically Underutilized Business Committee prepared its presentation for board members on equity and equality issues Monday, leaning toward providing the public a more recent history of the relationship between the Texas Civil Rights Project and AISD. “Some of the conversation with the trustees and with the community has […]
Posted inTransportation
MoPac Boulevard project completion delayed
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority officials announced Wednesday that a fully operational MoPac Boulevard may not happen until the end of the year. While the announcement currently delays construction only three-and-a-half months, officials said they were not confident they could complete the work even then. “We had a completion date — Sept. 17, 2015 — but the contracts move it […]
Posted inAISD
AISD board may create new equity committee
The Austin Independent School District board of trustees may vote to create a new, standing subcommittee that addresses equity and equality issues throughout the district. The proposal of a new committee stems from an interaction with the Texas Civil Rights Project, which threatened to sue AISD or file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. […]
Posted inAISD
AISD increases community oversight of bond funds
Community members will provide more oversight to Austin Independent School District’s bond projects in the future. Superintendent Paul Cruz said the AISD’s Community Bond Oversight Committee will begin reviewing changes to bond projects before the board of trustees reviews them. In the past, the board of trustees approved ongoing bond project changes, such as related contracts. […]