AUSTIN, Texas — Burnet and Webb middle school parents are weighing a petition that could prevent a state takeover of Austin ISD (AISD), but at the cost of closing their schools.

Both middle schools received their fifth consecutive failing ratings from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). If those ratings are finalized in December, state law would require Education Commissioner Mike Morath to intervene.

State intervention could involve the replacement of AISD’s elected school board with a state-appointed board of managers, as well as a new superintendent.

However, the Texas Education Code outlines an alternative route: a Parent Petition for Action requesting that Morath close the failing schools rather than taking over the whole district.

Crystal Brothwell Hernandez, President of the Austin Council PTAs, gathered outside Burnet Middle School parents and educators to advocate for the petition.

“I’m going to say it: We’re asking them to sacrifice their school for their students and their teachers and the entire school district to have a glimmer of hope to not have state intervention,” said Brothwell Hernandez.

What requirements must the petition meet?

For a petition to be valid, parents or guardians of over half of the enrolled students at the respective campus must sign.

So far, “11% of Burnet families have signed, and 2% have signed for Webb,” reported Brothwell Hernandez.

Parents with more than one student enrolled at either Burnet or Webb can sign the petition for each of their children.

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Although final TEA ratings will be released in December, the petition is due to AISD’s superintendent, Matias Segura, by Oct. 15.

“Once the accountability rating hits, if there is no petition in place, those parents lose a voice,” said Brothwell Hernandez.

For any signature to count, the student must be enrolled at the campus on Oct. 30, the state’s enrollment snapshot date.

Jose Munoz, a teacher at Webb and a parent of two children in AISD, said he recognizes Burnet and Webb parents are facing a difficult choice.

“I understand that closing our neighborhood schools is painful…” he said. But we also have to consider what a district-wide takeover could mean for every student in Austin ISD. The petition may provide a possible path forward, and the only path that still allows parents in our communities to continue to have a voice in what happens to their children’s future schooling.”

AISD’s comment on the petition

Austin ISD schools and administrative offices were closed today, Oct. 9, for a holiday.

However, superintendent Matias Segura sent a message to families last month.

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In the letter, Segura said the district will not advocate the petition nor assist in gathering signatures.

However, if a valid petition is submitted, the TEA will allow the district to submit a closure plan for the failing campuses. Segura said the district will work to prepare such plans in the event that parents submit a valid petition.

An excerpt from Segura’s message reads,

Austin ISD will not participate in gathering signatures or advocacy of the petition as we continue our student-focused work and allow impacted families to use their voice without our guidance If the petition gains a majority of signatures from families at these schools, the TEA Commissioner will allow Austin ISD to submit a comprehensive closure plan, which would outline how Burnet and Webb students will be supported next school year. In anticipation of any request, our leadership teams are already working through options to determine what would best serve our students and families.

If a valid petition is submitted to the superintendent by Oct. 15, Segura would need to validate it and send it to the TEA by Dec. 1.