Austin, October 6, 2025
News Summary
The Austin Independent School District has proposed closing 13 campuses, including 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school program, due to a $19.7 million budget deficit. Nearly 25% of the district’s 70,000 students will be affected as they adjust their attendance zones. The Board of Trustees is set to vote on the closures, and feedback sessions are scheduled to involve the community in the decision-making process.
Austin School District Proposes Closure of 13 Schools Amid Budget Deficit and Enrollment Decline
The Austin Independent School District (AISD) has proposed closing 13 campuses, which include 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school program, as part of a consolidation plan aimed at addressing significant financial challenges. This announcement was made on October 1, 2025, with the Board of Trustees set to vote on the proposed closures on November 20, 2025.
The decision to propose these school closures comes in an attempt to manage a $19.7 million budget deficit. The AISD estimates that the consolidation plan could save the district approximately $25.6 million. Nearly 25% of the district’s 70,000 students are expected to be affected, as many will need to change their attendance zones to accommodate shifting student populations.
Under the proposed plan, the following elementary schools will be closed: Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, and Widén. In addition to the elementary schools, Martin and Bedichek middle schools will also be closed, and the International High School program will be relocated to Navarro High School.
As a result of these closures, over 16,000 students will have to adjust their attendance boundaries. This includes approximately 8,500 elementary students, 3,900 middle schoolers, and over 3,760 high schoolers. Notably, six of the ten elementary schools targeted for closure currently serve a majority of low-income students.
The proposed plan has also suggested significant changes to dual language programs. Three schools that provide full-campus dual language education—Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, and Becker—will close, while the dual language program will be relocated to Pickle, Wooton, Odom, and Sánchez elementary schools. Additionally, Joslin, which is currently home to the district’s only trilingual program for Mandarin, Spanish, and English, will become an opt-in only campus.
This consolidation effort is being undertaken in light of the district’s enrollment decline, which has decreased from 84,000 students in 2015 to 70,000 students in 2025, a significant 17% reduction. This decline has compounded the budget and enrollment challenges faced by the district and has catalyzed the need for effective financial management moving forward.
To ensure community involvement, AISD has scheduled several feedback sessions on October 14, 16, 27, and November 8, 2025, which will allow families to express their opinions and concerns regarding the proposed closures. During this process, the School Board President described the changes as “seismic” and necessary to safeguard the future of education in Austin. However, critics have expressed concern that these closures could disrupt strong community ties and adversely impact schools that currently perform well academically.
Parents of students attending affected schools, such as Bryker Woods and Widén, have voiced disbelief and emotional distress over the potential impacts these closures may have on their communities. To help address concerns, AISD plans to offer an optional grandfathering process for students affected by the closures, allowing them to remain at their current school until completing the final grade level offered. However, it is important to note that transportation will not be provided for these students.
AISD administration is working to create a sustainable operational plan to avoid state takeover due to ongoing financial struggles and to ensure compliance with Texas Education Agency mandates.
FAQs
- What schools are proposed for closure in the Austin Independent School District?
- The proposed closures include Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, and Widén elementary schools; Martin and Bedichek middle schools; and the International High School program, which will relocate to Navarro High School.
- How many students will be affected by the proposed closures?
- Almost 25% of the district’s 70,000 students will be affected, with over 16,000 students changing attendance boundaries.
- Why is the Austin Independent School District proposing these closures?
- The closures are part of a plan to address a $19.7 million budget deficit and are projected to save the district about $25.6 million.
- When will the final decision on the proposed closures be made?
- The Board of Trustees will vote on the proposed closures on November 20, 2025.
- Will there be opportunities for community feedback?
- Yes, community feedback sessions are scheduled for October 14, 16, 27, and November 8, 2025, to allow families to voice their opinions on the proposed closures.
Key Features of Proposed Closures
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Schools Proposed for Closure | 13 |
| Elementary Schools Closed | 10 (Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, Widén) |
| Middle Schools Closed | 2 (Martin, Bedichek) |
| High School Program Relocation | International High School to Navarro High School |
| Students Affected | Over 16,000 (8,500 elementary, 3,900 middle, 3,760 high school) |
| Budget Deficit Addressed | $19.7 million |
| Projected Savings | $25.6 million |
| Community Feedback Sessions | Scheduled for October 14, 16, 27, and November 8, 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Austin ISD Proposes Closure of 13 Schools Amid Budget Concerns
AISD Proposes Closure of 13 Schools Amid Budget Deficit
Austin School District Proposes Closure of 13 Campuses
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
Additional Resources
- Austin American-Statesman
- KXAN
- KVUE
- Austin Chronicle
- Axios
- Wikipedia: Austin Independent School District
- Google Search: Austin Independent School District closures
- Google Scholar: Austin Independent School District
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin Independent School District
- Google News: Austin Independent School District closures
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