News Summary
The Austin Independent School District plans to address declining enrollment and a significant budget deficit by considering campus closures and consolidations. Superintendent Matias Segura highlighted the aim of achieving at least 85% enrollment across all campuses by 2026-27. With a projected budget deficit of $19.7 million, the district is actively engaging community feedback before finalizing its strategy in November. Several schools are likely to be affected, including Ridgetop, Blackshear, and Maplewood Elementary Schools, amid implementing cost-saving measures and new legislative mandates.
Austin, Texas – AISD Plans Significant Campus Closures and Consolidations
The Austin Independent School District (AISD) superintendent Matias Segura has announced a strategy that includes potential campus closures and consolidations, aimed at addressing declining enrollment numbers and a significant budget deficit. The district currently serves about 73,000 students, which reflects a drop from previous years.
AISD is targeting a goal of achieving at least 85% enrollment across all campuses by the end of the 2026-27 school year. As part of this effort, the superintendent noted that numerous schools are likely to be affected, with the possibility of closures comprising “more than a handful,” though exact numbers have not been disclosed.
To mitigate financial difficulties, the district is poised to implement cost-saving measures aiming to reduce expenses by approximately $30 million through these proposed consolidations. A recent report from AISD highlighted schools with the highest number of open seats, informing the district’s decision-making process.
Feedback and Evaluation Process
The district is committed to gathering feedback from community members and stakeholders prior to finalizing a list of schools slated for closure. Recommendations are expected to be presented in early October. Meanwhile, AISD’s evaluation methodology involves a comprehensive two-part tool that considers factors such as building utilization, cost per student, facility condition, and accessibility for transportation.
Potential candidates for closure include a number of schools, notably Ridgetop, Blackshear, and Maplewood Elementary Schools, along with Covington Middle School and McCallum High School. This review is prompted by a significant decline in enrollment and the need to reallocate resources more effectively.
Budget Concerns
The district is also grappling with a projected $19.7 million budget deficit, driven by substantial reductions in funding across local, state, and federal levels, marked by a steep 56% cut in federal funding. Despite these challenges, AISD has reported a stable teacher attrition rate of 5%, which aids in managing staffing adjustments and implements necessary job transitions more smoothly.
Implementation of New Laws
In addition to addressing enrollment and budget issues, AISD is moving forward with several new legislative measures. This includes a ban on cell phone use in schools, along with a requirement for the posting of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. However, the district has indicated that resource limitations may preclude the actual posting of such materials.
Looking Ahead
Superintendent Segura has underscored that while consolidations are necessary, no specific schools or finalized plans are yet in place. He has emphasized the significance of community engagement in this process. The final vote on the recommended consolidation plan is scheduled for November 20, 2025, following community feedback sessions that will take place from October 9 to November 13, 2025.
AISD aims to ensure a transparent and collaborative approach as it navigates these pressing challenges, prioritizing the educational needs of its students and aligning resources accordingly.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- KXAN
- Austin Chronicle
- CBS Austin
- KVUE
- K12 Dive
- Wikipedia: Austin Independent School District
- Google Search: Austin Independent School District closures
- Google Scholar: Austin ISD enrollment declines
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin Independent School District
- Google News: Austin ISD closure plans
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