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Education
Austin ISD says it needs more time to announce school closure plan
The Austin Independent School District will not publicly announce which schools it is considering for closures until Sept. 6. The board of trustees had been planning to review possible options at its August meeting. Now it will discuss scenarios at…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Aug 2, 2019
UT Austin to give free tuition to low-income Texas students
The University of Texas System Board of Regents voted Tuesday to offer full tuition assistance to more UT Austin students, adding $160 million to an endowment to help cover costs. Undergraduates from Texas who come from families making up to…
Education • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jul 10, 2019
Confused about Austin ISD's decision to close schools? You're not alone.
The Austin Independent School District is in the middle of a process to decide which schools to close and consolidate in the city. It announced in February that the closures needed to happen to help the district’s financial situation; later…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jun 28, 2019
Austin ISD school board approves raises for teachers, hiring of new equity officer
The Austin Independent School District’s Board of Trustees voted Monday to approve a $1.6 billion budget, which includes across-the-board raises for school employees. The board also voted unanimously to hire Stephanie Hawley as AISD’s first chief equity officer. During public…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jun 18, 2019
AISD's plan to close schools prompts discussion on boosting equity in Austin public schools
The Austin School Board approved its guidelines for closing and consolidating schools Monday night, but much of the discussion ahead of the vote just before midnight centered on increasing equity in Austin public schools. Trustees Ann Teich and Jayme Mathias…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • May 22, 2019
To better market its schools, Austin ISD is turning to Realtors
Two dozen Realtors sit in the bleachers of the Burger Athletic Center, eating pastries and sipping on coffee. They’re listening to administrators from the Austin Independent School District preview the day ahead, which is a six-hour tour of schools in…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • May 2, 2019
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Here are the regions Austin ISD is using in its plan to close schools
Austin Independent School District announced in February its plan to close and consolidate some schools. Now it has a clear plan for how to choose which schools. To make this decision, AISD administrative staff divided the district into seven regions.…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Apr 29, 2019
Austin ISD removes Andrews principal accused of discriminating against immigrant parents
The Austin Independent School District has removed Andrews Elementary Principal Gabriela Soto after parents and teachers accused her of discriminating against immigrant parents. A group of school advocates held a press conference Monday to publicize the accusations. Parents said Soto…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Apr 12, 2019
Activists demand action after Andrews principal is accused of bias against immigrant parents
A dozen community activists assembled outside Andrews Elementary School in East Austin Monday to demand the school district do more about Andrews’ principal, who is accused of discriminating against immigrant parents. The Austin Independent School District is investigating Gabbie Soto…
AISD • By Sangita Menon, KUT • Apr 10, 2019
Austin ISD board approves process to close some schools by August 2020
The Austin Independent School District’s board of trustees voted unanimously Monday to move forward with a plan for closing and consolidating schools. The decision to close schools comes as the district continues to face declining enrollment. Demographic reports show enrollment…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Feb 26, 2019
Austin ISD board members push back on short timeline to close schools
The Austin Independent School District’s board of trustees is balking at the administration’s plan to announce school closures by summer. AISD has lost more than 6,000 students in the past six years, and enrollment is projected to continue its decline.…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Feb 13, 2019
Task force recommends Austin ISD cut magnet programs, consolidate schools to save money
A task force created by the Austin Independent School District released a report outlining budget cuts and ways the district can bring in more money. Some of the more dramatic recommendations are redrawing attendance zones, closing schools and cutting magnet…
