News Summary
The Austin Independent School District has drafted a proposal to close 13 schools starting in the 2026-27 school year due to a $19.7 million budget deficit and declining enrollment. The closures include 10 elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school program. This decision follows a mandate from the Texas Education Agency to address low performance rates. Community feedback sessions are planned to discuss the impact of these changes on local families and students.
Austin, TX – The Austin Independent School District (AISD) has drafted a proposal to close 13 schools across the district, starting in the 2026-27 school year. This decision comes as the district faces a significant budget deficit of $19.7 million and declining student enrollment.
The proposed closures include 10 elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school program. The elementary schools earmarked for closure are Barrington ES, Becker ES, Bryker Woods ES, Dawson ES, Maplewood ES, Oak Springs ES, Palm ES, Ridgetop ES, Sunset Valley ES, and Widén ES. The middle schools affected are Bedicheck MS and Martin MS, which is planned for temporary closure. The high school program, International HS, will be shifted to continue supporting students at Navarro Early College High School.
The proposal is a direct response to a mandate from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), which requires AISD to close or restart 23 schools due to consistently low performance rates. As part of the restructuring effort, AISD will also undergo a significant redrawing of attendance boundaries affecting 98% of its schools. This adjustment is predicted to impact over 16,000 students, prompting the district to provide an interactive site where families can check their updated neighborhood schools based on home addresses.
Should the AISD Board approve the closure proposal during their meeting on November 20, it is anticipated to result in an estimated savings of $25.6 million for the district. Families will have the option to utilize a grandfathering process, which allows students to remain in their current school until they complete their final grade level offered there.
The district has planned several community workshops on October 14, October 16, October 27, and November 8 to engage with stakeholders and gather feedback regarding the draft proposal. The president of the AISD Board acknowledged the emotional toll these closures may have on the affected communities, particularly in areas that host a significant population of low-income students.
This educational restructuring aims to address ongoing issues related to historical underfunding and the need for AISD to adapt to the changing educational landscape. District officials have indicated that these radical changes are necessary to meet current student needs and improve educational outcomes.
As the proposal unfolds, concerns have surfaced regarding the communication and implementation process during this transition. Stakeholders are seeking clarification on how the changes will be managed and the potential impact on students and faculty across the district.
As AISD navigates these challenging decisions, the administration emphasizes its commitment to evolving in response to the pressing demands within the educational sector and ensuring a supportive learning environment for all students.
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Additional Resources
- KVUE: Austin ISD School Consolidation and Closure News
- Statesman: Austin ISD School Closure List
- KXAN: 13 Schools Named in Austin ISD Closure Plans
- Austin Chronicle: Austin ISD School Closure Recommendations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
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