Matt Simpson, policy strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, told members of the Central Texas Democratic Forum on Monday that Senate Bill 4, the so-called sanctuary cities bill, throws out policies created by sheriffs and police departments across the state about how and when to ask about immigration status. “This is kind […]
AISD
Austin’s largest school district, AISD is the Austin Independent School District.
Posted inHousing
Council approves bid to buy AISD properties
City Council approved a measure Thursday to move forward with a joint effort between the city, Travis County and the Austin Independent School District to provide affordable housing on publicly owned land. The measure authorized city staff to submit a bid to purchase 10 properties currently owned by the school district for an amount not […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Sore losers and sour grapes
Ghosting on reporters… It’s probably never fun to take reporter’s calls after losing an election, but usually candidates are good sports about it. However, former City Council District 7 candidate Natalie Gauldin managed to ignore more than five phone calls throughout the day from multiple reporters at the Austin Monitor (and several other news outlets). Nearly […]
Posted inElections
Texas education groups are trying to get more students, teachers to vote
By Kate Groetzinger & Kate McGee Austin Independent School District Superintendent Paul Cruz chatted with six Reagan Early College High School students Monday afternoon as they gathered at the early voting center at Austin Community College-Highland Mall to cast their ballots on their way to class. The students are among the 1,963 young adults in […]
Posted inHousing
Austin teams up with Travis County and AISD on affordable housing
The city of Austin, Travis County and the Austin Independent School District are poised to enter a three-party partnership aimed at using publicly owned lands to address the shortage of affordable housing in the area. City Council did its part Thursday, when it approved a resolution (on its consent agenda) directing the city manager “to […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Upscale dogs, other complaints
You’re never too old to throw shade… Last Monday, the Austin Independent School District’s workshop meeting was full of lively discussion, including more pondering of academic programming and how to correctly catalog it for parents and district members. Often, special programs like AISD’s Liberal Arts and Science Magnet school or McCallum High School’s Fine Arts […]
Posted inAISD
AISD postpones potential bond
On Monday, the Austin Independent School District board of trustees decided to pump the brakes on future bonding efforts for district schools for another year. At the board’s workshop meeting, trustees met with the Facilities and Bond Planning Advisory Committee to discuss potential bond efforts that would be used for the district’s current and future […]
Posted inBudget
AISD employees see insurance hikes
The final board of trustees meeting attended by Austin Independent School District’s Chief Human Capital Officer Michael Houser brought hard news: Some AISD employees could see a significant portion of their newly approved raises go toward paying increasing health care costs. Houser, who retired after Monday’s regular meeting, told AISD trustees that staff reviewed employee […]
Posted inAISD
Historic Landmark Commission defies AISD, moves forward with historic zoning for Lee Elementary
Once again, the Historic Landmark Commission was the site of an ideological showdown over the fate of Russell Lee Elementary. And, on Monday night, it was also a face-off between the commission and the Austin Independent School District. Just prior to the commission’s meeting, AISD sent a letter officially opposing historic zoning for the school, […]
Posted inPreservation
Robert E. Lee sign change erodes trust between city commission and school district
In an emotional, accusatory hearing, the Historic Landmark Commission voted Monday night to initiate historic zoning on the school formerly known as Robert E. Lee Elementary. Since the case first appeared before the commission, AISD has voted to change the name of the school to Russell Lee Elementary, and the district’s subsequent removal of the […]
Posted inAISD
AISD approves $1.3 billion budget
Trustees with the Austin Independent School District approved a $1.3 billion operating budget for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year in an 8-0-1 vote Monday night, with District 1 Trustee Edmund Gordon abstaining. It is the largest budget AISD has ever considered, yet board members continued to call out the state’s public education system for its […]
Posted inPreservation
At Lee Elementary, the sign remains the same
Last week, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees took the bold step of changing the name of Lee Elementary School to Lee Elementary School. However, if a group pushing for preservation of the school’s original sign has its way, schoolchildren and parents will continue to enter the building under a sign bearing the […]