AUSTIN, Texas — Austin ISD families are demanding more time and transparency as district leaders move closer to a final vote on a sweeping consolidation plan that could reshape schools across the city.
In less than a month, Austin ISD’s board of trustees will vote on the district’s proposed consolidation plan.
“We really have no idea what’s going to happen to our kids next year,” said parent Mike Sharon Schultz.
If approved, the proposed plan would close 13 campuses and change 98% of school boundaries. District officials say the changes are necessary to better use resources and address a multi-million-dollar budget deficit.
“It’s gonna have a detrimental impact on trust,” said parent Rosy Falcon.
Superintendent Matias Segura acknowledged the strain the proposal is causing in a virtual question-and-answer open house meeting Monday night.
“I want to acknowledge just the pain and the disruptions this is causing our community, and I am so sorry that we have to go through this process together,” Segura said.
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The district first announced the plan on Oct. 3 and has since held a series of meetings to gather feedback from families across Austin.
“These conversations are hard, but they’re absolutely critical,” Segura said.
Ahead of Monday’s virtual open house, district leaders said they received hundreds of pre-submitted questions on top of hundreds of requests to speak live.
With tensions still high, Segura said community input is shaping revisions to the plan.
“We are listening, we are making adjustments, and you will see much of that reflected as we move forward with new drafts,” he said.
But some parents still believe their concerns aren’t being fully addressed.
“What is eroding that trust is the speed at which all of this is happening,” Falcon said.
District leaders say revisions made from public comment so far will be published on Friday. Two more Q&A meetings are scheduled: one on Tuesday for East Austin communities and another districtwide meeting on Nov. 8.
The Austin ISD board of trustees is expected to vote on a final plan on Nov. 20.