URGENT UPDATE: Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura has just announced a postponement of boundary changes and school closures that were set to impact several schools, following intense community feedback. The decision, revealed during a board meeting on November 20, 2023, comes as the district grapples with a significant $20 million budget shortfall and declining enrollment figures.
During a meeting on Tuesday night, Segura confirmed the removal of three schools—Palm Elementary, Bryker Woods Elementary, and Maplewood Elementary—from the list of institutions scheduled for closure. Segura emphasized the importance of community input in reshaping the district’s future, stating, “These decisions that we’re making are not, you know, short-term decisions. They will change the district, really forever.”
The pause on boundary changes, which are separate from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) turnaround plans, is intended to further evaluate how community concerns can be incorporated into any future proposals. Segura noted that some staff members have been placed on leave as the district investigates these issues.
Parents and community members have expressed their desire for alternative solutions to improve educational quality rather than resorting to closures. During the board meeting, Rebecca Steen, a parent from Becker Elementary, voiced her hopes for a focus on turnaround plans rather than consolidations, stating, “We need less people at the central office, and we need more teachers in the classrooms. We need more support and tutoring.”
On the same evening, community members rallied at three locations of Kerbey Lane for a solidarity event, where 10% of the proceeds raised will support the ten schools on the consolidation list. Briana Rubin, a parent from Bryker Woods, emphasized the importance of community unity, saying, “It’s ever most important to come together and lift one another up.”
The district is moving forward with plans to vote on the turnaround initiatives on November 20, and these proposals must be submitted to the TEA by November 21. As the situation develops, stakeholders are urged to stay informed and engaged with the ongoing changes at Austin ISD.
For more updates, community members and parents are encouraged to monitor district communications closely and participate in upcoming meetings. The future of Austin ISD hangs in the balance, and every voice matters.
