Five seats on the Austin Independent School District’s board of trustees will be on the ballot Nov. 6. The role of the school board is to oversee the AISD superintendent and district administration. The board votes on district policy and budgets, and sets tax rates. Members serve four-year terms. You can see which district you […]
Education
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Some argue proposed new names for Austin schools don’t leave Confederacy behind
Despite momentum earlier this year to rid Austin Independent School District properties of links to the Confederacy, the district’s board of trustees is facing pushback over proposed new names. At a meeting last night to publicly discuss recommendations for Sidney Lanier and John H. Reagan high schools, the Allan Center and Zachary Taylor Fulmore Middle […]
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Here are the new names proposed for Austin ISD buildings tied to Confederate figures
The Austin Independent School District’s board of trustees is scheduled to vote Oct. 22 on the proposed new names for four AISD buildings named for Confederate figures. After a long dispute about whether the buildings commemorated the state’s struggle with racism and inequity, the board voted 7-2 in February to change the names. The buildings […]
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Declining enrollment, segregation dominate AISD board meeting
The Austin Independent School Board’s unanimous decision to spend $25 million modernizing Sanchez Elementary School was welcomed by a substantial contingent of those who packed the board’s chambers Monday night, but it hardly assuaged long-term concerns from east side activists who say that the school district is allowing East Austin schools to flounder. The first […]
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On the eve of East Austin school consolidation, community still has questions
The Austin Independent School District’s board of trustees will vote in a little over a week on how to consolidate three elementary schools in East Austin. Students at Metz, Zavala and Sanchez elementary schools will combine into one school, which the district will completely renovate using money from the 2017 bond. This project was included […]
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Austin ISD schools honoring Confederate figures will find out new names this semester
Five Austin Independent School District schools named for Confederate figures will get renamed this semester. The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted in February to rename the John T. Allan facility, Zachary Taylor Fulmore Middle School, Sidney Lanier Early College High School, John H. Reagan Early College High School and Eastside Memorial Early College High […]
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Sánchez Elementary targeted for modernization
On Thursday night, the Metz-Sánchez-Zavala Modernization Planning Team voted to recommend Sanchez Elementary School for modernization as part of the 2017 bond program. The bond called for a modernization project at one of three campuses, either the Metz, Sánchez or Zavala elementary school. Over the past several months, a planning team made up of administrators, […]
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As fear rises among undocumented community, Austin ISD reminds families schools are a safe place
As the new school year approaches, the Austin Independent School District is preparing for more immigrant families to rely on it for resources outside of education. Leonor Vargas, AISD’s administrative supervisor of parent programs, said when there’s a rise in reports of raids or deportations, service providers see a decline in undocumented families coming to […]
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As under-enrollment trend continues, AISD searches for ways to keep kids and money in district
The Austin Independent School District’s enrollment numbers are predicted to continue their downward trend in the coming school year, affecting long-term district decisions regarding budgeting and other financial policy. According to the most recent demographic study, the district will lose an estimated 4,266 students by 2026. This downward trend influences every part of district funding […]
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AISD shows progress despite state falling short of educational goals
According to a recent white paper from the outcomes working group at the Texas Education Agency, Texas is falling short of Gov. Greg Abbott’s “60×30 Goal.” The goal’s intent is that by 2030, 60 percent of Texan adults aged 25-34 will possess a postsecondary degree. So far, about 40 percent of Texas adults have postsecondary […]
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AISD budget task force begins tackling $30M deficit
At the Monday night meeting of the AISD Budget Stabilization Task Force, the 31-member group focused on establishing priorities and procedures as it begins the process of developing recommendations to balance the district’s budget. The task force, made up of Austin Independent School District staff, parents and community members, began looking at the current and […]
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New principal hopes project-based learning will improve academics at Mendez
When students at Mendez Middle School return to school next month, there will be new curriculum – and a new principal. After Mendez failed state standards four years in a row, the Austin Independent School District agreed to let an outside group run the school, and that group hired a new principal this summer, Joanna […]