News Summary

The Austin Independent School District has proposed closing 13 schools due to a significant budget deficit and declining enrollment. If approved, these closures will begin in the 2026-27 school year and are expected to save the district around $25.6 million. The closures include 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and the International High School program. AISD faces challenges from the Texas Education Agency requiring school closures for low performance, as enrollment has dropped significantly. Community workshops are planned to gather feedback on the proposal.

Austin

Austin Independent School District (AISD) administration has announced a draft proposal to close 13 schools due to a significant budget deficit and declining enrollment. If approved by the board on November 20, the closures would go into effect starting in the 2026-27 school year and are projected to save the district approximately $25.6 million.

The proposed closures include 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school program. The elementary schools identified for closure are Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, and Widén. The middle schools slated for closure are Bedicheck and Martin, which is expected to be temporarily closed. Additionally, the International High School program will be dissolved but will continue to serve students within the Navarro Early College High School program.

These closures are in response to a mandate from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requiring AISD to close or restart 23 schools due to ongoing low performance. AISD is currently facing a $19.7 million budget deficit and has seen student enrollment fall from 84,000 in 2015 to 70,000 in recent years.

Impact on Students and Families

As a result of the proposed school closures, 98% of AISD schools will undergo a significant redrawing of attendance boundaries. This change is expected to impact over 16,000 students. Families will be able to use an interactive site provided by the district to check their updated neighborhood schools based on their home addresses. Additionally, a grandfathering process will be available, allowing students to remain at their current school until they complete their final grade level.

Community Engagement and Feedback

AISD plans to hold a series of community workshops to discuss the draft proposal and gather feedback. These workshops are scheduled for October 14, October 16, October 27, and November 8. The board president has acknowledged the emotional impact these changes may have on the community, emphasizing the importance of involving stakeholders in the transition process.

Background Context

The schools proposed for closure are located in various regions of Austin, many of which serve a high number of low-income students. In conjunction with the closures, the proposal includes relocating dual language programs and other educational services to different campuses. District officials have expressed that radical changes are necessary to address the issues of historical underfunding and to adapt to the current educational landscape effectively.

Superintendent Matias Segura has noted that the district must evolve to meet the needs of students while aiming to improve educational outcomes. However, stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the communication and implementation of these changes, as they navigate the challenges ahead.

As the AISD moves forward with the proposal, the outcome of the board’s vote will determine the future of the affected schools and the overall educational landscape within the district.

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HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

• KVUE: Austin ISD School Consolidation and Closure News
• Statesman: Austin ISD School Closure List
• KXAN: 13 Schools Named in Austin ISD Closure Plans
• Austin Chronicle: Austin ISD School Closure Recommendations
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Education