Austin, TX, September 10, 2025
News Summary
The Austin Independent School District has informed parents about potential school closures or significant modifications affecting 12 schools due to repeated underperformance and a substantial budget deficit. The district is facing a crisis, with many schools receiving failing grades for three consecutive years. Meetings are scheduled to discuss options, with a final decision expected in early November. Community input is encouraged to address the challenges of declining enrollment and resource allocation.
Austin, Texas – The Austin Independent School District (AISD) has notified parents of students at 12 schools about potential closures or significant modifications set to address continued underperformance and a looming budget deficit. On September 4, 2023, letters were sent, prompting an initial online meeting to discuss these options scheduled for September 5 from 6-8 p.m.
The discussions come in the wake of the district’s failure to meet the state’s accountability standards for the third consecutive year, affecting numerous schools. Among the middle and elementary schools with three consecutive F ratings, Bedicheck, Martin, Paredes, Barrington, Dawson, Linder, Oak Springs, Pecan Springs, Sanchez, Widen, Wooldridge, and Winn Montessori School have all been singled out for review.
AISD schools receive grades ranging from A to F, while districts earn scores on a scale of 0 to 100, heavily influenced by the results of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. Alarmingly, about one-third of the district’s schools received failing scores in the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) latest annual report card, with referenced schools like Dobbie, Webb, and Burnet Middle Schools earning four consecutive F ratings.
The AISD Board of Trustees is slated to review plans for the identified schools at a meeting on October 9, 2023, with a final vote on the plan expected by November 6, 2023. Possible outcomes could include closures, transferring management to charter operators, or implementing turnaround plans. The decision process is exacerbated by a budget deficit exceeding $100 million and approximately 25,000 vacant seats in a district with a total of 95,000 student capacity, highlighting challenges related to declining enrollment.
As part of the response to the accountability issues, the district is required to create a Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP) or a Turnaround Plan (TAP) for failing schools by mid-November 2023 to prevent intervention from the TEA. If implemented, the school consolidation could lead to closures beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
Difficult decisions regarding school closures are also tied to AISD’s goal of channeling resources more effectively to support student academics and programs. The district plans to evaluate schools using a consolidation tool that takes into account various factors, including building utilization, cost per student, and facility condition.
In light of these considerations, the district is conducting additional meetings on September 10 and September 15 from 6-8 p.m. to gather community input, encouraging feedback through a survey. This outreach is particularly significant as past closures, notably those in 2019, were heavily criticized for their adverse impact on low-income communities of color, sparking concerns over the transparency and efficacy of such decisions.
A recent report indicates that the overall district grade stands at 79, with a note that the AISD is aiming to resolve its budget crisis while improving educational outcomes at underperforming campuses. As AISD navigates these complex challenges, the path ahead remains critical for the impacted families and communities.
FAQ
What are the reasons for the potential school closures in AISD?
The closures stem from continued underperformance under state accountability standards and a budget deficit exceeding $100 million.
How many schools are facing potential closures?
Twelve schools are currently identified as facing potential closures or significant modifications.
When will the final decision on school closures be made?
The final vote on the school closure plan is scheduled for November 6, 2023.
What options are being considered for underperforming schools?
Options include closures, transferring to charter operators, or implementing turnaround plans.
How can the community participate in the discussion?
The district is encouraging community feedback through surveys and scheduled meetings.
Key Features of AISD Proposed Changes
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Schools Affected | 12 schools with three consecutive F ratings |
| Budget Deficit | Exceeding $100 million |
| Enrollment Issues | About 25,000 vacant seats out of 95,000 |
| Decision Timeline | Meetings on September 5, 10, 15, with a final vote on November 6 |
| Possible Outcomes | Closures, charter transfers, or turnaround plans |
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Additional Resources
- FOX 7 Austin
- Wikipedia: Austin
- Austin Monitor
- Google Search: Austin ISD school closings
- KXAN
- Google Scholar: Austin ISD closures
- KVUE
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin ISD
- CBS Austin
- Google News: Austin ISD school closure
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