News Summary
The Austin Independent School District has proposed closing 13 schools due to a projected $19.7 million budget deficit and a significant decline in student enrollment. The closures, which would affect elementary, middle, and high school programs, aim to address underperformance as mandated by the Texas Education Agency. The AISD Board may approve the proposal soon, potentially saving the district $25.6 million while impacting over 16,000 students. Community workshops are scheduled to gather feedback from families regarding these changes.
Austin – The Austin Independent School District (AISD) administration has proposed the closure of 13 schools across the district, with plans to implement these changes for the 2026-27 school year. This decision comes amid a projected budget deficit of $19.7 million and declining student enrollment numbers.
The closures would impact 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school program. The elementary schools facing closure include:
- Barrington ES
- Becker ES
- Bryker Woods ES
- Dawson ES
- Maplewood ES
- Oak Springs ES
- Palm ES
- Ridgetop ES
- Sunset Valley ES
- Widén ES
The two middle schools proposed for closure are Bedicheck Middle School and Martin Middle School, which is expected to be temporarily closed. The high school program targeted for closure is International High School; however, it will continue to support students as a program at Navarro Early College High School.
This proposal is in response to a directive from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) mandating that AISD close or restart 23 schools with low academic performance. The approaching changes arise as the district’s enrollment numbers have sharply declined, dropping from approximately 84,000 students in 2015 to around 70,000 currently.
Should the AISD board approve the closure proposal on November 20, it is estimated to save the district about $25.6 million. Furthermore, approximately 98% of AISD schools will experience a comprehensive redrawing of attendance boundaries, which will affect more than 16,000 students.
The district plans to provide families with access to updated neighborhood school information through an interactive website, allowing parents to verify school assignments based on their home addresses. Additionally, there will be an option for a grandfathering process, allowing students to remain at their current schools until they complete their final grade level.
AISD is committed to holding community workshops to solicit feedback on the proposed closures. These meetings are scheduled for October 14, October 16, October 27, and November 8. These workshops aim to provide a platform for community input and engagement during this transition.
Lynn Boswell, the president of the AISD Board, acknowledged the emotional toll these decisions may have on families as the district navigates these changes. The schools proposed for closure are distributed across various regions of Austin, with many serving a significant population of low-income students.
In the restructuring efforts, the AISD also plans to relocate dual language programs and other educational services to different campuses to ensure that students continue to receive the support they need. Periodic feedback from stakeholders has raised concerns regarding the communication and implementation process throughout this significant transition.
AISD officials have underscored that substantial changes are necessary to address years of underfunding and adapt to the current educational environment. Superintendent Matias Segura stressed the necessity of evolving initiatives that meet students’ needs and enhance educational outcomes.
The upcoming weeks will be critical for AISD as the community engages in dialogues about the proposed school closures and their potential impact on education in Austin.
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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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