Austin, Texas, October 6, 2025
News Summary
The Austin Independent School District has proposed closing 13 campuses, including 11 elementary and 2 middle schools, due to a $19.7 million budget deficit and declining student enrollment. The plan could affect nearly 16,000 students and aims to save approximately $25.6 million while realigning attendance boundaries. Community input will be solicited ahead of a Board of Trustees vote scheduled for November 2025. The proposal has sparked concerns, particularly regarding the impact on low-income students.
Austin, Texas – Austin Independent School District (AISD) has proposed the closure of 13 campuses, which include 11 elementary schools and 2 middle schools, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. This decision comes in response to a budget deficit amounting to $19.7 million, a significant decline in student enrollment, and ongoing academic challenges faced by multiple schools across the district.
The proposed changes involve major realignment of attendance boundaries and the relocation of various programs, including dual language initiatives. Nearly 16,000 students are expected to experience changes in their attendance boundaries, with 8,500 at the elementary level, approximately 3,900 at the middle level, and over 3,760 at the high school level.
The specific schools identified for closure are:
- Elementary Schools: Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, Widen, and Winn Montessori.
- Middle Schools: Bedichek and Martin.
- International High School: This institution, which serves immigrant students, would also be closed, with its services relocated.
The district aims to save approximately $25.6 million from these closures while addressing nearly 7,000 excess student seats by reducing the number of open seats from 22,269 to 15,311. It’s essential to note that six of the ten elementary schools on the closure list serve a majority of low-income students. Moreover, both Martin and Bedichek Middle Schools, which are about 50 years old, predominantly serve low-income populations; the closure of Martin is anticipated to be temporary in nature for future development.
Under the proposed changes, dual language programs will be moved from Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, and Becker to Pickle, Wooton, Odom, and Sánchez elementary schools, with these new campuses operating without set attendance zones. Joslin Elementary, which currently houses the only trilingual program in the district, will shift to an opt-in-only model while continuing to provide classes in Mandarin, Spanish, and English.
The community will have opportunities to provide input during virtual open houses scheduled before the final Board of Trustees vote on November 20, 2025. The last closures in Austin ISD occurred in 2020 when four elementary schools were shut down, leading to divisions in the community. Previous plans considered closing more than 12 schools after gathering community feedback, a process that might also take place again this time.
AISD Superintendent Matias Segura noted the necessity to address the current risks and issues facing the district to prevent state intervention. The closures will categorize seven of the campuses as “academically unacceptable,” necessitating district improvement plans based on standardized testing performance.
Families of students affected by these closures will retain the option to remain at their current schools until they complete the final grade they are enrolled in, although transportation will not be provided. The proposed plan reflects ongoing efforts within the district to maintain autonomy over local education amid tightening budget constraints and a continuing decline in enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are proposed for closure in Austin ISD?
The specific schools proposed for closure include 11 elementary schools (Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, Widen, and Winn Montessori) and 2 middle schools (Bedichek and Martin). The International High School would also be closed.
How many students will be affected by these proposed closures?
Nearly 16,000 students would change attendance boundaries as a result of the proposed closures, with 8,500 at the elementary level, about 3,900 at the middle level, and more than 3,760 high schoolers.
What is the reason behind the school closures?
The closure proposal is a response to a $19.7 million budget deficit, declining enrollment, and academic challenges faced by multiple schools in the district.
Key Features of the Proposed Closures
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Schools Proposed for Closure | 13 |
| Elementary Schools | 11 |
| Middle Schools | 2 |
| Estimated Savings | $25.6 million |
| Excess Student Seats Being Addressed | 7,000 |
| Current Enrollment | 70,000 |
| Proposed Attendance Boundary Changes | 16,000 students affected |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Austin School District Proposes Closure of 13 Schools
Austin ISD Announces School Consolidation Plan
Austin ISD Proposes Closure of 13 Schools Amid Budget Crisis
Austin Parents Call for Pause on Proposed School Consolidations
Texas Education Agency Investigates Teacher Comments Post-Assassination
AISD Holds Final Virtual Meeting on School Consolidations
Austin Independent School District Initiates School Consolidation
Texas State University Student Expelled for Mocking Shooting Victim
Austin Schools Under Pressure to Submit Improvement Plans
University of Texas at Austin Ends Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
Additional Resources
- Statesman: Austin ISD School Closure List
- KVUE: AISD Parent Speaks Out
- KXAN: Weighing In on AISD Closure Plans
- Wikipedia: General Search
- Encyclopedia Britannica
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