The Austin Independent School District board of trustees heard troubling news Monday: AISD’s contracting process does nothing to combat entrenched discriminatory practices among businesses and governmental entities in the Austin area, according to a recent disparity study. The study, which began in May 2013, examined AISD, Travis County and the city of Austin’s business contracting and […]
Education
Posted inAISD
AISD changes school naming policy, barely
On Monday, the Austin Independent School District board of trustees unanimously tweaked its facilities naming policy. Although the change clarified the district’s ability to abolish controversial school names, it provided little guidance on if and how such a process might unfold. Trustees agreed to strike out a clause in current policy that restricts the board […]
Posted inAISD
AISD delays, but keeps “new” LASA on table
The Austin Independent School District board of trustees heard a barrage of new academic program proposals for South Austin on Monday. But at the end of the meeting, the long-discussed idea of creating South Austin’s version of the district’s prestigious Liberal Arts and Science Academy remained on the table. Although board members had previously anticipated […]
Posted inAISD
AISD punts Confederate name changes to committee
With tension hanging thick in the air, Austin Independent School District trustees’ tempers rose as they discussed ways to tackle the politically and racially charged topic of potentially changing Confederate-related names associated with five AISD schools: Robert E. Lee Elementary School, Eastside Memorial High School at the Johnston Campus, Sidney Lanier High School, John H. […]
Posted inAISD
AISD tightens military access to students
Military recruiters seeking to sign up future servicemen and -women will have less access to Austin Independent School District students than they did one year ago. On Monday, board members unanimously adopted new language in the district’s visitors policy that clarifies exactly where military recruiters can and cannot go. In accordance with federal laws, schools […]
Posted inAISD
AISD reviews staffing; changes could cost millions
With enrollment dropping, a tight budget and no sign of relief from the Supreme Court of Texas, the Austin Independent School District board of trustees trudged forward with its budget discussion Monday, assuming another year of limited resources and growing challenges. Despite approving this year’s budget only two months ago, board members have already begun […]
Posted inAISD, Uncategorized
AISD considers new East Austin school
The Austin Independent School District has a chance to build a school on free land, but unfortunately that land is situated in a somewhat contentious area where current schools are struggling to fill seats and others have historically been insufficient in meeting student needs. Monday, board members continued to debate whether to build a new […]
Posted inAISD
AISD talks prison pipeline; reviews current system
At Monday’s dialogue meeting, AISD trustees took their first look at the state of the district’s “school-to-prison pipeline” system, examining the district’s policies and practices that push students out of the classrooms and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Speaking on behalf of municipal courts at the meeting, Judge Sherry Statman said that even […]
Posted inAISD, Public Safety
AISD to begin video ticketing
During a quick approval of Monday’s consent agenda, the Austin Independent School District board of trustees unanimously OK’d the use of camera-based ticketing to help curb drivers’ illegal passing of stopped school buses. AISD entered into a one-year renewable contract with Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions Inc. for a School Bus Safety Stop-Arm Camera System. ATS […]
Posted inAISD, Austin
AISD trustees appoint Wagner to D7 spot
The Austin Independent School District concluded a more than six-week appointment process at its regular meeting Monday when, in a 7-0 vote — with Secretary Jayme Mathias abstaining — board members appointed Yasmin Wagner to South Austin’s District 7 seat. District 6 Trustee Paul Saldaña made the motion, and At-Large Board Member Kendall Pace seconded. […]
Posted inAISD
AISD District 7 candidate forums conclude
Two Austin Independent School District trustees and about 40 residents packed Baranoff Elementary School’s cafeteria this weekend to hear District 7 candidates Yasmin Wagner and Jonathan “Dale” Sump field questions. Saturday’s meeting was the third and final in-district forum. Now AISD trustees will interview the two candidates on Sept. 24 and give district-wide residents a […]
Posted inAISD
AISD begins South Austin academic talks
Even if the Austin Independent School District trustees come to an agreement in December, a new, advanced academic program in South Austin probably will not open its doors until the 2017-2018 school year, said Superintendent Paul Cruz. At the board’s dialogue meeting Monday, despite the lack of District 7 representation, AISD trustees began discussing what […]