News Summary
The Austin Independent School District has proposed closing 13 schools to address a $19.7 million budget deficit and declining enrollment. The planned closures, which include 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school program, are set to begin in the 2026-27 school year. The district aims to save approximately $25.6 million, while engaging the community through workshops to gather public feedback. This measure arises partly from a Texas Education Agency mandate, prompting significant changes in school attendance boundaries affecting thousands of students.
Austin, Texas — The Austin Independent School District (AISD) has put forth a draft proposal to close 13 schools as a strategy to address a significant budget deficit and declining student enrollment. This initiative, scheduled to take effect in the 2026-27 school year, aims to save the district approximately $25.6 million.
The proposed closures affect 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school program. The elementary schools targeted for 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 middle schools identified are:
- Bedicheck MS
- Martin MS (with a proposal for temporary closure)
Additionally, the high school program set for closure is International HS; however, it will continue to serve students at Navarro Early College High School.
This measure has been initiated partly due to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) mandate that directs the AISD to close or restart 23 schools due to underperformance. The district is currently facing a $19.7 million budget deficit, alongside a noticeable drop in student enrollment from 84,000 in 2015 to merely 70,000 this year.
Should the school board approve the draft proposal during their session on November 20, a substantial restructuring of school attendance boundaries will occur, with 98% of AISD schools experiencing boundary alterations. These changes will impact over 16,000 students, who will have updated neighborhood schools assigned based on their home addresses through an interactive tool created by the district.
Parents will have the option to participate in a grandfathering process, which would allow their children to remain in their current schools until they complete the final grade available at those institutions. Alongside these changes, AISD has outlined plans to relocate bilingual and other essential educational programs to various campuses.
To engage the community in this significant transition, AISD has scheduled a series of workshops on October 14, October 16, October 27, and November 8 to gather public feedback regarding the draft proposal. The emotional ramifications of these closures on the community has been acknowledged by the AISD Board, highlighting the need for sensitivity during this process.
The schools earmarked for closure are spread across multiple regions in Austin and include a considerable population of low-income students. This closing plan comes as district officials point to the necessity of radical changes stemming from historical funding shortages and the evolving educational landscape to better address the needs of students.
Stakeholders within the district have raised concerns regarding communication and the practicalities of implementing these restructuring initiatives during the transition period. Superintendent Matias Segura has emphasized the importance of adaptability within the district to ensure that the needs of students are effectively met, ultimately aiming to enhance educational outcomes throughout the community.
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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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MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
