UPDATE: Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura has just announced a postponement of crucial school boundary changes until next fall, following intense community feedback. During a board meeting on November 20, 2023, Segura declared that three schools, including Palm Elementary, Bryker Woods Elementary, and Maplewood Elementary, will not close as previously planned amid a nearly $20 million budget shortfall and declining enrollment.
This urgent shift comes as parents and board members express their concerns regarding the proposed school consolidations. Segura emphasized that the ongoing investigation into community input will shape the future of the school district. “These decisions are not short-term,” he stated. “They will change the district, really forever.”
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires several schools to undergo leadership changes and improvement plans. Segura confirmed that any boundary changes not linked to the turnaround plans will be postponed until the fall of 2024. “Just to be really clear, this work is continuing, it is not canceled,” he reassured stakeholders. “The need to align our school system to improve feeder patterns is something that I am committed to doing; it will be done.”
Parents voiced their frustrations during the board meeting, advocating for a focus on enhancing educational support rather than closures. Rebecca Steen, a parent from Becker Elementary, expressed hope that the focus will shift towards Turnaround Plans (TAPs) instead of school closures. “We need less people at the central office, and we need more teachers in the classrooms,” she urged.
In a display of community solidarity, three Kerbey Lane locations hosted a fundraising event, pledging 10% of all proceeds to support the ten schools initially targeted for consolidation. “That’s something the Solidarity Spirit Night is really trying to do, trying to lift all of the voices and support those who need the most help,” said Briana Rubin, a parent from Bryker Woods Elementary.
As the district prepares for a critical vote on TAPs on November 20, 2023, the outcome could significantly impact the future of education in the Austin area. These developments underscore the urgent need for effective communication and collaboration between the district and families.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation evolves. The community’s voice remains vital in shaping the direction of Austin ISD’s educational landscape.
