AUSTIN, Texas — Austin ISD leaders received an update Thursday night on the superintendent’s plan that could close schools and redraw attendance boundaries across the district.
The meeting brought few new details, but families continued to voice concerns and push for more transparency as a final vote approaches. The district says a revised draft of the consolidation plan will be released on Friday after weeks of community feedback and concern.
As a final vote on Austin ISD’s consolidation plan nears, families are awaiting updates on the future of their neighborhood schools.
Parents and teachers urged the board to slow down the process and provide more information about the plan’s financial impact.
“We’re three weeks away from a final vote on turnaround plans and consolidations in AISD and have not received any financials for the cost savings from closing campuses,” said Adam Sparks, an AISD parent.
Another parent, Patrick Rosenthal, said schools on the closure list deserve more time and options.
“Schools on the closure list deserve a chance to look at all available options. Being on the list doesn’t mean a school is beyond hope,” he said.
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Austin ISD is facing a nearly $20 million budget shortfall, even after cutting $100 million in non-campus expenses. To avoid making cuts to programs or teacher planning time, district leaders are proposing to consolidate — creating fewer, better-resourced schools.
“You have to have a thoughtful plan that we know we can execute with the resources we have,” said Superintendent Matias Segura.
Many families argue the plan comes at too high a cost, with 13 schools proposed for closure and up to 98 percent of district boundaries potentially changing.
“Sixty percent of Maplewood parents said that they’re already looking at charter schools or public schools, which is fewer students, fewer dollars, and less stability for AISD,” said Edna Para, an AISD parent.
During Thursday night’s meeting, questions were raised about how much the district expects to save through the proposal.
“We estimated in the initial draft, October 3rd, $24 million,” Segura said. “In the revision that’s going to be released tomorrow [Friday], we’re doing a deeper breakdown as requested by our community to go kind of campus by campus.”
At a work session earlier in the week, Segura said updates to the plan would focus on transfer policies, transportation, and boundary changes — all reflecting community feedback. Still, some parents say the process hasn’t been transparent enough.
“Parents deserve transparency before we lose more neighborhood schools and more closures and diminishing AISD,” said Greg, an AISD parent.
The district expects to release the updated draft consolidation plan on Friday afternoon. A final vote on the proposal is expected on November 20.