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Austin ISD Confronts Escalating Pushback to Draft Plan Closing 13 Schools

A Nov. 20 board vote looms, with district leaders projecting $20 million in immediate savings from the consolidation proposal.

Overview

  • Parents, students and staff rallied outside Thursday’s board meeting, arguing the district has not provided sufficient data or alternatives to closures.
  • The draft lists 13 campuses for closure next year, and district officials say combined property values near $296 million will trigger case-by-case reuse, lease or sale reviews starting in January.
  • More than $188 million from the 2022 bond had been earmarked for the targeted schools, and Superintendent Matias Segura says he will recommend reallocating funds to follow affected students where possible.
  • AISD cites a $19.7 million shortfall and forecasts at least $20 million in immediate annual savings, largely from staff reductions, with total projected savings of about $25.6 million.
  • Seven schools on the list have failing TEA grades requiring turnaround plans, while the district plans additional virtual community discussions before trustees decide on Nov. 20.