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 declining enrollment and budget shortfalls. The closures aim to save approximately $25 million and address an excess of empty seats in the district. AISD has planned community engagement events for feedback before the Board of Trustees’ vote on the proposal set for November 20. Adjustments to school boundaries and program offerings are also in the works to better allocate resources and streamline education.
Austin, Texas – Proposed School Closures Amid Enrollment Decline
Austin Independent School District (AISD) has put forth a draft proposal to close 13 campuses, comprising 11 elementary schools and two middle schools, in light of declining student enrollment and a substantial budget shortfall. This step is part of a broader strategy to manage the district’s challenges effectively while maintaining local control of public education.
The schools identified for closure include Becker Elementary, which serves as a crucial institution for numerous families within the community. Becker Elementary is particularly valued for its dual-language programs, which have attracted many students. Joseph Arriaga, a parent of a student at Becker, has expressed his sadness at the potential closure of the school, indicating that he may enroll his son at Sanchez Elementary if this proposal advances.
The proposed closures are expected to yield immediate savings of approximately $25 million for the district. AISD Superintendent Matias Segura has underscored that difficult decisions such as these are not made lightly and are part of efforts to sustain the district’s commitment to education amidst fiscal challenges. In the last decade, AISD has experienced a significant loss of over 10,000 students, resulting in an excess of 25,000 empty seats across the district.
Despite having previously made $100 million in non-campus budget reductions, AISD is facing a remaining budget shortfall of $19.7 million, necessitating these drastic measures. The current plan includes proposed changes to school boundaries in 98% of AISD schools aimed at addressing enrollment imbalances and ensuring a more efficient allocation of resources.
The school closures will also lead to the transition of four of the closed schools to campus-wide, non-zoned Spanish dual-language programs. Furthermore, a new districtwide, non-zoned Montessori program is in the works. The closure of International High School is noted; however, it will continue to function as a program within Navarro Early College High School.
To facilitate smoother educational transitions, AISD’s proposal outlines significant shifts in school boundaries that are intended to create more coherent feeder patterns from elementary schools to middle schools and from middle schools to high schools. Community engagement remains a priority; therefore, AISD has set up virtual open houses for parents and community members to voice their feedback regarding the proposed changes. These events are part of a broader strategy for soliciting community input and ensuring that local perspectives are considered in final decisions.
The AISD Board of Trustees is scheduled to review the school closure proposal and is expected to vote on the matter on November 20. In the interim, provisions for “grandfathering” policies will allow students at schools that remain operational to continue attending their current schools despite any boundary changes. Additionally, updates will be made to the transfer request process, which will now be divided into three rounds based on program types and individual situations.
Projecting further fiscal savings, the district estimates over $20 million in reductions from staffing cuts alone, alongside savings from minimized utility costs and the removal of portable classrooms. An action plan is also under consideration for reallocating funds from the 2022 bond program designated for the schools slated for closure. Furthermore, AISD is evaluating various options regarding the properties of closed schools, which may include repurposing, leasing, or selling the now-empty facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Features of the Proposed School Closures
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Schools Proposed for Closure | 13 campuses (11 elementary, 2 middle) |
| Estimated Immediate Savings | Approximately $25 million |
| Community Involvement Opportunities | Virtual open houses planned for feedback |
| Proposed Date for Board Decision | November 20 |
| Students Retained in Current Schools | Grandfathering policy will remain in effect |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Austin Schools Propose Closure of 13 Campuses Amid Budget Cuts
Austin School District Proposes Closure of 13 Schools
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
Additional Resources
- KVUE: AISD Parent Speaks Out on Proposed Consolidation Plan
- Wikipedia: Austin Independent School District
- Fox 7 Austin: AISD Consolidation Boundary Change Plan
- Google Search: Austin Independent School District consolidation
- Community Impact: AISD Unveils Plans to Close 13 Schools
- Google Scholar: Austin Independent School District
- Austin Chronicle: AISD Announces School Closure Recommendations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin Independent School District
- Spectrum Local News: AISD Proposes School Consolidations and Closures
- Google News: Austin ISD school closures
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
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