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 […]
AISD
Austin’s largest school district, AISD is the Austin Independent School District.
Posted inAISD
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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Austin Monitor Radio: AISD East?
This week Roxanne Evans and Jim Harrington talk to Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard and editor Elizabeth Pagano about their bid to save East Austin schools, their new manifesto designed to do just that, and why they are threatening a split from the Austin Independent School District if their demands aren’t met. Listen in below […]
Posted inAISD
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 […]
Posted inAISD
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 […]
Posted inAISD
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, […]
Posted inAISD
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 […]
Posted inAISD
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 […]
Posted inAISD
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 […]
Posted inAISD
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 […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
What should I ask of my legislators if I want Texas’ school funding system to change?
It’s a typical summer day at Emily Herrington’s house in Northeast Austin. Her two daughters, Penly, 7, and Laurel, 3, are playing with their kittens and reading books in the living room. Penly is going into second grade at Blanton Elementary in the fall. Over the past few years, Herrington has been thinking a lot […]
Posted inAISD
New data show lead in drinking water at five more Austin schools
Lead has been found in the drinking water of five Austin public schools, new data obtained by Environment Texas from the Austin Independent School District shows. It’s the second time in the past year the toxic metal has been discovered in AISD schools and facilities. The tests revealed lead at levels considered especially unsafe by […]