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Education
As Superintendent Paul Cruz prepares to leave Austin ISD, his school closure plan remains unresolved
Even though Superintendent Paul Cruz said he’s leaving the Austin Independent School District, the process of school closures that started under his watch likely will not end. But where the plan goes from here is unknown. At a press conference Thursday, Cruz…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Feb 21, 2020
Eight school districts issue warning to TCAD
Eight school districts that depend on the Travis Central Appraisal District to provide them with accurate property values are facing a serious loss of revenue as a result of a decision by TCAD’s chief appraiser not to reappraise residential properties…
Education • By Jo Clifton • Feb 20, 2020
Austin ISD considers opening a school for young adults with autism
A local nonprofit wants to start a school in Austin that serves young adults with neurological conditions like autism. Easterseals of Central Texas is seeking to start the school within the Austin Independent School District. The school would help students…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jan 23, 2020
Chief equity officer calls Austin ISD's school closure process inequitable and 'short-sighted'
School closures and consolidations are not “equity strategies,” the Austin Independent School District’s chief equity officer says in a report released Monday. “They are short-term and often short-sighted approaches to cost savings that are seldom reinvested in programming in the…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Dec 10, 2019
Human Rights Commission seeks apology from AISD
Last week the Austin Independent School District’s chief equity officer, Stephanie Hawley, called the board of trustees’ vote to close four elementary schools racist and inequitable. In an effort to improve the district’s financial situation, the board was faced with…
AISD • By Jessi Devenyns • Nov 27, 2019
Austin ISD equity officer calls closure plan 'racist' before board votes to close four schools
The Austin Independent School District’s Board of Trustees voted 6-3 on Monday to close Brooke, Metz, Sims and Pease elementary schools at the end of this school year. Trustees Ann Teich, Arati Singh and LaTisha Anderson opposed the closures. Parents…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Nov 19, 2019
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Under new proposal, Austin ISD gives itself more time to consider closing eight schools
Instead of closing 12 schools over the next five years, the Austin Independent School District is now proposing to close four schools over two years. In a revised school changes plan released Friday, AISD says it will take more time…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Nov 4, 2019
What's next in the process to close Austin ISD schools?
The Austin Independent School District finished its third week of community meetings to get feedback on its plan to close and consolidate 12 schools. Now, district staff will revise the proposal before the school board votes in late November. Here’s…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Oct 14, 2019
Austin ISD says second draft of school changes will emphasize academics district-wide
At a live discussion of the Austin Independent School District’s proposal to overhaul the entire district, school officials said the idea is about more than just closing schools. Meanwhile, city leaders said there’s room to grow to bring more equitable…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Sep 19, 2019
Austin ISD wants to close 12 schools, expand academic programs throughout the district
The Austin Independent School District has released a plan to close 12 schools and move those students to other campuses. The district is also proposing boundary changes and wants to add academic programs at more than 30 schools. “Change is hard,” Superintendent…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Sep 6, 2019
Austin ISD gets B overall from TEA, sees failing grades at some middle and elementary schools
By Claire McInerny & Jimmy Maas Report cards are out, and the Austin Independent School District received a preliminary grade of B for the 2018-19 school year from the Texas Education Agency. But the district also received failing grades at…
AISD • By KUT News • Aug 16, 2019
Parents push back against possible boundary changes as Austin ISD works out school closure plan
The cafeteria of Bedichek Middle School in Southwest Austin was chaotic as almost 100 parents fought for the attention of AISD administrative staff. Some were still in work clothes, some in T-shirts. Almost all of them were asking questions –…
