News Summary
The Austin Independent School District has approved turnaround plans for Burnet, Webb, and Dobie middle schools, which are facing state takeover due to consecutive failing accountability ratings. The district will allocate approximately $1.7 million to each school, focus on staffing increases, and enhance ESL programs to support students. A recent public meeting revealed low community attendance, and parents are urged to engage in the process. If significant improvements aren’t seen by December, partnerships with charter schools may be considered to avoid losing local control.
Austin, Texas — The Austin Independent School District (AISD) Board of Trustees has approved turnaround plans for three middle schools—Burnet, Webb, and Dobie—facing state takeover after receiving consecutive failing accountability ratings since 2019. The plans, which aim to improve school performance before the upcoming deadline of June 30, will be submitted to the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
The turnaround efforts come as the schools have struggled significantly in meeting educational standards, prompting the need for immediate and effective interventions. The district-managed restart approach will allow the schools to remain operational while implementing major changes to enhance the learning environment and academic outcomes.
Approximately $1.7 million will be allocated to each school through the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) Model, intended to directly support improvement initiatives. The turnaround strategy includes increasing staffing levels, with nine additional positions slated for each school to better support student needs. Moreover, enhanced English as a Second Language (ESL) programs will be expanded to assist approximately 20% of the student body, which consists of migrant students facing unique educational challenges such as late arrivals and language barriers.
In efforts to ensure that the right personnel is in place, teachers at these failing schools were required to reapply for their positions under the new plans. This process resulted in varying return rates: 61% for Burnet, 47% for Webb, and only 16% for Dobie, reflecting differing levels of confidence and engagement among staff members committed to these schools’ futures.
The district’s budget reflects a projected $47 million deficit, even as it anticipates about $36 million in state funding. The board emphasizes that despite financial challenges, the focus must remain on stabilizing the school environments and improving educational outcomes for all students. The board’s president has underscored the need for robust support systems to aid migrant students specifically, signaling that the unique needs of these students must be central to the turnaround strategies.
A recent public hearing about the turnaround plans reportedly saw lower attendance compared to prior meetings. Community engagement is crucial as the district strives for collaboration with parents and families throughout this process. The AISD Superintendent stated that involving parents in the educational journey is paramount, and efforts will be made to keep families in the loop regarding changes and developments.
As the district moves forward with these turnaround plans, it is aware that if no significant improvement in academic performance is observed by December, there may be no choice but to consider partnerships with charter schools as a last resort to sidestep state intervention. This potential outcome underscores the urgency for tangible and swift improvements in these middle schools to avoid the loss of local control.
The approved turnaround plans for Burnet, Webb, and Dobie represent a concerted effort by AISD leadership to address long-standing challenges in these institutions. With new resources, leadership, and significant shifts in staffing, the district hopes to elevate the performance and learning experiences of all students, especially those who have been historically underserved.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- KVUE
- Community Impact
- Wikipedia: Austin Independent School District
- Google Search: Austin Independent School District turnaround plans
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
