AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Independent School District is the latest large school district in Texas now set to close schools. The move would affect nearly all of its students. Experts say it’s part of a statewide trend driven by declining enrollment and funding challenges.
What You Need To Know
The announcements are becoming more frequent since San Antonio ISD surprised the state in 2023, saying it would close 15 schools
Earlier this year, Plano ISD shuttered four schools, and Fort Worth ISD plans to close 18
Austin ISD’s draft plan would close 13 schools and rezone students to other campuses in what the school board says is an effort to improve the use of resources and reduce costs
Parents feel the process lacks transparency and are hoping to get their questions answered during virtual open houses this week
Kirk Faulkner is a sixth grader at Austin ISD, and he hopes to pause the newly announced consolidation plan. He graduated from Becker Elementary last year, which under the proposed plan would shut down.
“I have two younger siblings that go to Becker. I’m helping them do this with my parents,” Kirk explains.
The Faulkner family is joining hundreds of thousands of families statewide facing the loss of their local schools, as districts large and small close or consolidate campuses.
The announcements are becoming more frequent since San Antonio ISD surprised the state in 2023, saying it would close 15 schools. Earlier this year, Plano ISD shuttered four schools, and Fort Worth ISD plans to close 18.
Austin ISD’s draft plan would close 13 schools and rezone students to other campuses in what the school board says is an effort to improve the use of resources and reduce costs. The superintendent said at a meeting last week that they have no choice but to consolidate.
At Thursday’s board meeting, Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura explained the district “can’t operate the way that we’re operating and continue to to have the ability to support all of our students everywhere in Austin.”
School boards and experts blame the combination of reduced enrollment, more charter schools and budget cuts for the closures. Department of Educational Leadership and Policy professor at the University of Texas at Austin David DeMatthews says charter school expansions, declining birth rates and the state’s “Robin Hood” funding program are all putting pressure on districts.
“You put all these things together, plus some of the struggling campuses…that also raises concern for families,” says DeMatthews.
Parents feel the process lacks transparency and are hoping to get their questions answered during virtual open houses this week. For more information about these meetings, click here.