Congratulations to the first six members of the Austin ISD Police Department Traffic Safety and Education Division who graduated from the Police Motorcycle Operator School! They are the first motor officers in the department. If you see them around, be sure to say hello!
ICYMI: Community invited to provide feedback on three-year budget plan
The district is in the process of outlining options to cut $92 million over the next three years while preserving the student experience.
Driving the news: Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura presented a three-year proposal to the board of trustees Nov. 22, outlining options such as potential reductions and revenue sources to balance the budget.
Of note: Budget reduction options previously discussed such as librarians, counselors, nurses and planning periods are off the table — at least for the upcoming school year.
The two upcoming legislative sessions could infuse funds into the district allowing for fewer reductions.
What’s next: Now is the time to make your voice heard. Mark your calendar for two upcoming virtual community conversation dates.
Both meetings will be available in English and Spanish.
Give the gift of reading this holiday season
Oak Springs Library
The Austin ISD Library Fund continues its mission this year of raising funds to invest in equitable programming in all Austin ISD libraries. All donations received go toward grants for librarians.
Why it matters: Supporting our libraries is an investment in our student’s future.
Every donation received ensures books stay fresh, relevant, and accessible, helping to keep students engaged and support their learning.
Books shape students' understanding of themselves and the world around them.
“When you donate to libraries your money goes a long way,” said Alexis Pokorny, Oak Springs Elementary School Librarian.“You are helping purchase books that are in kids’ hands for decades. It's such a powerful way to make a difference.”
Alexis Pokorny, Oak Springs Elementary School Librarian
How it works: Pokorny has been a librarian for six years at Oak Springs and last year she received one of the first grants from the Austin ISD Library Fund. The grant helped purchase new books to give for free to all the students at her campus.
This year, Pokorny joined the Austin ISD Library Fund committee to help bring awareness of the importance of all the work librarians do and help bring more funding to them.
What’s next: In January the committee will determine how many grants they can distribute based on the funds raised through donations and other events. The goal is to award up to eight $1,000 grants to elementary and secondary libraries.
The JOY of Teaching: Special Education Teacher Ali DeVeny
In honor of Inclusive Schools Week and Special Education Staff Appreciation Week, we're back with a feature of a very special teacher, Ali DeVeny. Here's her story in four answers.
What sparked your love for Special Education?
When I was a kid in the 1980’s Special Education was a place, not a service. In my case, it was a place near the boiler room. I have a learning disability, and I am deaf in one ear. So, by second grade, I knew great teachers had magic and I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted everyone to feel special.
If Special Education were a color, what color would it be?
Purple! Purple is associated with royalty and historically speaking, purple was difficult to make. Imagine that — it was hard to make but it was considered the most beautiful color. I know it is hard for some kids to learn how to write their name but then after a year you see them doing it. Just like the color purple — it takes time and it may be a challenge but the end result is absolute beauty.
If Special Education were a song, which song would it be?
Lovely day! It has a great rhythm. It’s a classic. Every day there is something lovely no matter what is going on in your life.
What's next for Ali DeVeny?
I don’t think any true teacher is able to retire. In my case, it’s my dharma— what I’m meant to do on Earth. I want to be teaching when I’m 102! Every good teacher is a forever student, and I want to learn forever. I love Special Education. You know what Special Education is? It’s education…with a lot of paperwork!
How the MoPac expansion will impact Austin ISD
It’s no surprise that traffic is a huge headache in Austin. With Interstate 35 already under construction, the pending expansion of MoPac means both highways through the city will be construction zones.
Why it matters: For Austin High School, specifically, the potential MoPac South expansion might affect traffic and student pick-up and drop-off in the years ahead. But with the construction location in the heart of the city, it’s expected to have wider impacts than just the high school.
The details: Planning is underway on how to expand the toll lanes of Mopac Expressway South from Cesar Chavez Street to Slaughter Lane.
The expansion is expected to reduce traffic and travel times as more than 200,000 vehicles cross the MoPac corridor daily.
What’s next: Ask your questions and share your concerns on how the expansion might impact traffic and commutes for staff and students in the years ahead.
Attend the MoPac South Expansion Town Hall at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 at the Austin High School library,1715 W. Cesar Chavez. Register ahead to ensure accommodation for all attendees.
Provide input directly to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority during their public comment period between now and Sunday, Dec. 29
Find your sear in Austin ISD for the 2025-26 priority enrollment! For more information check this link.Before you get started, be sure to check the list with everything you’ll need to complete your enrollment.
Hope you all had a wonderful Fall Break! Can you believe we are days away from the end of 2024? Time flies!
Any events or festivals that you all recommend for this season? This year, I’m not planning on traveling back home like we normally do and I need ideas to do with my 8-year-old son.
For languages other than English and Spanish, we use an AI-powered translation tool. As a result, there may be some contextual inaccuracies or other errors. We apologize for this. Please email translation@austinisd.org if you are in need of clarification. To change your preferred correspondence language, contact your school's front office.
