Hello families,
Hope you are having a great week!
This week we are celebrating and thanking all of our School Psychologists! They do an amazing job every day helping Austin ISD’s students and families. Thank you for all your work and dedication!
Blackshear Elementary School is an official stop on the annual East Austin Studio Tour. Join us this Saturday for the 11th Little EAST art event. You can expect student artwork, performances, craft tables, musical performances plus a silent auction!
And before we start with this edition…Austin ISD kicked off Native American Heritage Month this week with a special ceremony at Central Office where we had the opportunity to delight ourselves with the performances by the Great Promise for American Indians dancers and Ottertrail singers.
Now, let's get started…
1 Big Thing: District to reduce $92 million budget deficit with three-year plan
As the Joint Community Budget Committee wraps up, district officials are evaluating options to cut the $92 million budget deficit over three years.
Why it matters: District leaders are committed to creating a sustainable budget plan while also being cautiously optimistic about the possibility of additional funding coming out of the next legislative session.
By the numbers: Last spring, district leaders made $30 million in cuts to non-campus expenses for the 2024–25 budget.
The plan will identify an additional $26 million in reductions from the current year budget.
Next school year, 2025–26, the district will carve out $47 million.
For the 2026-27 school year, the district plans to cut an estimated $19 million.
What’s next: Superintendent Matias Segura and senior leaders will present a budget plan to the Board of Trustees at the Nov. 21 Board Voting Meeting.
Yes, and...voters approved Prop A, which will infuse $41 million into the district’s budget to support campuses and fund pay increases for teachers and professional staff. $20 million of the funds will also be used to offset current costs and reduce the budget deficit.
Parent Support Program expands support for families in Austin ISD
Thanks to an increased grant from the City of Austin, the Parent Support Team is expanding districtwide with the introduction of a new Regional Support Team.
Why it matters: Parent Support staff engage directly with families, campus staff and community members to ensure effective school-community partnerships and allocation of community resources.
The new team consists of two facilitators and two regional associates, who will connect with families in non-Title I schools and promote educational opportunities throughout the district.
What they are saying: "We are excited to add these new members to the team. The Team will now support 116 campuses instead of only 73. It's a huge lift because there are families in need all over the school district and Austin ISD wants them to feel supported," said Joy Diaz, Assistant Director Community Engagement.
Background: The Parent Support program is funded in part by a grant from the City of Austin. Before adding the new Regional Support Team, there were 73 Parent Support Specialists that worked with families in Title I schools.
What’s next: The full team will be ready to help families starting December 2024!
The Ann Richards School hosted its first ever 18-hole mini golf tournament!
7th-grade STEM students designed, budgeted, and fabricated their unique mini golf holes that featured Texas and Austin themes.
Did you know?: Through a STEM-focused curriculum, the Ann Richards School is building a pipeline of future female leaders, ready to break barriers and thrive in STEM industries.
Students interested in the Ann Richards School or any of Austin ISD’s admissions- and campus-based programs must complete their enrollment and any campus-specific application requirements by Feb. 4, 2025.
Explore programs and more at austinisd.org/enroll or text Let’s Talk at 512-886-6434.
Rosedale School identified as surplus after district evaluation
The district now has the opportunity to monetize the former Rosedale School site after the property was declared surplus, opening the option to sell or lease the land.
The details: The school, located at 2117 West 49th Street, is not used by the district and the tract of land does not meet the established criteria to accommodate any future needs by Austin ISD.
The school was vacated in February 2022 and a modernized facility located at 7505 Silvercrest Drive was custom-built to meet the needs of Rosedale students.
Since Feb. 2024 the location has been temporarily occupied by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office as a training site for law enforcement officials.
Driving the news: The board adopted a resolution Oct. 24 declaring the site surplus.
Any sale or lease will need approval by the Board of Trustees.
Find your seat for the 2025-26 school year!
Mark your Calendar
Austin ISD In the News
One more week before Fall Break! Any big plans?
This week I had the opportunity to visit the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) to learn more about a project that a group of students along with their librarian are working on. Students are interviewing alumni of LASA, housed at the former Johnston High School, to preserve the history of the school. They are also scanning old newspapers and scrapbooks of history from the school.
They are looking for more alumni to come and share their experiences and stories. If you know of someone, don’t hesitate to reach out to them, specifically their librarian.
Have a great weekend!
Nayeli 💛
For questions or comments please email me at nayeli.santoyoflores@austinisd.org.
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