AUSTIN, Texas — With a midnight deadline looming, parents at Burnet and Webb middle schools are racing to submit a “Parent Petition for Action” that calls for closing both campuses in an effort to avoid a state takeover of Austin ISD.

The petition comes after both Burnet and Webb received five consecutive failing accountability grades, which authorizes the Texas Education Agency to intervene. Options include closing the schools or appointing a state board of managers and a superintendent to run the district.

Many parents have signed the petition, but some said they are still unclear on what it would mean for their children.

“If I signed the petition, they said we’re gonna have the parents have a voice.” Marnellie Cabato, who has a child at Burnet Middle School, said. “It’s really not that clear to me yet, but all I know is they, regardless, they’re gonna close the school.”

Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura sent a message to parents last month saying the district would not collect signatures or advocate for the petition.

Candace Hunter, an Austin ISD board trustee for District 1, said the lack of centralized information has contributed to confusion.

“I think what they try to do is allow people the freedom, but with there’s no central direct like information, then people get different stories or they just listen to their neighbors. It’s front porch talk,” Hunter said.

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Parents also raised concerns about the possibility of a state takeover during an Austin ISD board information session. Amy Moore, a former Austin ISD parent, said, “I will never believe that a state takeover is a good idea.” Another parent said, “I believe deeply that a full-scale takeover would have catastrophic impacts on our children and educators as well as our already faltering budget.”

If parents or guardians of more than half the students enrolled at both campuses sign the petition, Austin ISD will verify it and send it to the TEA. But Hunter said the petition may not be the final say, and the state could still replace the board of trustees.

CBS Austin’s Vinny Martorano asked what her message would be to parents as the petition is due, Hunter said: “Whatever the outcome is of the petition, whatever the outcome is for the takeover; parents who want to continue to stay in Austin ISD will have to fight for Austin ISD. Doesn’t matter what side of 35 they live on.”

The district has appealed both ratings. Final ratings are expected in December, after the petition deadline has passed.

Austin ISD did not immediately confirm how many signatures each petition received. In a statement, the district said: “While the petition deadline is today, the petitions must be validated by the superintendent based on the campus enrollment on the state-wide enrollment snapshot date on Oct. 30. Austin ISD leaders will begin this validation process of the petitions once our enrollment snapshot is finalized and submit the results to TEA by Dec. 1.”