News Summary
The Austin Independent School District (AISD) plans to close and consolidate several campuses due to a decline in student enrollment and a looming budget deficit. Superintendent Matias Segura announced the goal of reaching 85% enrollment by the 2026-27 school year, with current figures showing approximately 73,000 students. Schools such as Ridgetop and Blackshear Elementary may be impacted, as the district anticipates saving $30 million through these consolidations. Community feedback sessions are scheduled, emphasizing the importance of public involvement in the decision-making process.
Austin, Texas – The Austin Independent School District (AISD) is set to implement campus closures and consolidations in an effort to tackle the ongoing decline in student enrollment and significant budget deficits. Superintendent Matias Segura announced the move as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at achieving a minimum of 85% enrollment across all campuses by the 2026-27 school year.
Currently, AISD’s enrollment stands at approximately 73,000 students, a noticeable decrease from previous years. The district’s projected budget deficit is estimated to be around $19.7 million due to substantial cuts in federal, state, and local funding sources—most notably a drastic 56% reduction in federal financial support.
Among the schools identified for potential closure are Ridgetop Elementary, Blackshear Elementary, Maplewood Elementary, Covington Middle School, and McCallum High School. Although the number of schools to be closed is expected to be “more than a handful,” specific details are yet to be announced. A report released by the district has revealed that certain campuses are currently facing high vacancy rates, which prompted this consolidation initiative.
The AISD administration aims to realize cost savings of approximately $30 million through these consolidations. In addition to the school closures, the district is also working on reassessing its facilities through a two-part evaluation tool that takes into account building utilization, cost per student, overall facility condition, and accessibility to transportation. Additionally, AISD maintains a healthy teacher attrition rate of 5%, which has facilitated manageable staffing transitions throughout recent budget adjustments.
Prior to finalizing which campuses will be closed, AISD is committed to engaging with community members and stakeholders to gather feedback. Community input sessions will take place from October 9 to November 13, 2025, and a recommendation for school closures will be presented in early October. The AISD board is expected to conduct a final vote on the proposed plan on November 20, 2025.
In light of these challenges, the district is also navigating new regulations, including restrictions on cell phone usage in schools and a requirement to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms. However, AISD has stated that posting the Ten Commandments is not feasible given resource limitations. Superintendent Segura emphasized that, while consolidations are being pursued, no definitive plans or campus decisions have been confirmed, reinforcing the importance of community involvement in the decision-making process.
The situation presents a challenging landscape for AISD as it steers through financial setbacks and seeks to optimize its resources while maintaining quality education for its students. With significant community input on the horizon, AISD hopes to navigate these changes collaboratively, ensuring that the needs of students and families are prioritized throughout the process.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Federal Education Funds Released to Texas Schools
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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