Hi families!
Next week kicks off our Austin ISD Graduation ceremonies and we’re so excited to celebrate the Class of 2025.
Here are some tips and “do’s and don’ts” if you are planning on attending a ceremony:
We also want to remind you that the district is asking for your input as we explore ways to best serve our students. Visit austinisd.org/consolidate to learn more and take the school consolidation survey before June 6.
Now, let’s jump into this week’s updates...
Board Bulletin: Updates on budget, school improvement and school consolidation planning
Can you believe it’s still May? We’re back for our third convening of the Austin ISD Board of Trustees this month and we have a lot to cover. Trustees met for the May Regular Voting Meeting and got one step closer to next month’s vote for a 2025-26 budget.
Superintendent Matias Segura kicked off the night with a jam-packed presentation, which included an update on the district’s fund balance, school consolidation planning and the latest work on school improvement. Let’s dive in.
The budget was a key part of the meeting as we wrap up fiscal year 2024-25 on June 30 and prepare our final budget for the next year.
Our board policy requires that we maintain a fund balance (our savings account) at 20% of our annual operating budget. The current year’s adopted budget met that target, with a 21.65% fund balance. However, unexpected costs and loss of expected revenue has us ending the year below that, at 16.4% of our annual operating budget. The administration plans to recommend a budget with a 15% fund balance for this year—a move that will require a change in board policy. The goal will be to continue making cuts to return us to a healthy 20% fund balance to ensure we meet payroll obligations and ensure long-term solvency.
Why is this necessary? Funding for public schools in Texas has been stagnant since 2019, without a major increase to operating costs from the Legislature. Inflation has also had an impact, with costs for insurance, utilities, fuel and other expenses rising —just as they are for all of us at home.
This is a critical moment for the district and leaders must take action to achieve a balanced budget. This includes a central office reorganization that will yield $10 million and school consolidations, among other reductions.
The proposed budget includes a $78 million budget deficit and does not include any proposed school funding legislation. The administraiton will bring more proposed cuts before the final recommended budget. We are also watching the legislature closely, and could see more funds by the June 12 Board Information Session if legislation is approved and signed by the governor. Thank you to everyone in our community who has advocated for increased school funding statewide.
Planning for school consolidations is underway as we develop a draft tool for board review at its June 12 Board Information Session. This week’s presentation included a look at some of the preliminary values and priorities from the Trustees that will inform the consolidation tool.
The tool will have two parts — one part data and one part contextual analysis to ensure numbers aren’t the only driving force behind a proposed consolidation proposal.
Learn more about consolidations on the Austin ISD School Consolidations website and don’t forget to take the consolidation survey by June 6.
If meetings are more your style, join us at our virtual consolidation community info sessions at 6 p.m. May 27 and 6 p.m. June 5. Both options will be facilitated in English and Spanish.
Finally, Superintendent Segura and Trustees discussed the turnaround plans for Burnet, Webb and Dobie middle schools, as well as the overall school improvement strategy for other campuses that have received low accountability ratings from TEA.
While three middle schools are on an intensive intervention plan because of 2023 accountability results, the district will now have a School Improvement Office to support districtwide school improvement planning.
Even though the 2024 accountability results are not released, district leaders are operating as if they’re the new reality and will work with the community to create improvement plans and add extra supports for campuses that have received F ratings under the new state accountability system.
There was also discussion around the timeline and requirements from the Texas Education Agency and whether the expedited timeline for Burnet, Webb and Dobie is checking all the legal requirements.
Typically, schools that receive a second consecutive F rating are given a full school year to develop turnaround plans.
When TEA released the 2023 ratings in April, school districts were given just two months to develop turnaround plans. TEA provided modified guidance for how to complete that work in partnership with the campus community and that is the process the district is following, which explains why it doesn’t look exactly the same as a traditional turnaround plan process.
Dive deeper into the timeline and milestones on Slide 16 of the Superintendent Report.
What’s next: The Board of Trustees will meet again June 12 for its Board Information Session. Until next time!
Senior Success Story: Travis ECHS’ Karomi Contreras
Travis Early College High School Senior Karomi Contreras is headed to the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin this fall to major in international business. She also landed a summer internship with Austin FC, where she’ll get hands-on experience in the world of sports.
Why it matters: Karomi moved from Mexico at age 13, speaking little English, but with one big goal in mind: attend college.
What they are saying: “When I moved here, I didn't speak much English at all,” Karomi said. “Catching up to my classmates and working as hard as I could was my motivation from the beginning.”
At Travis, Karomi played soccer, volleyball, tennis, and running track. She was also part of National Honor Society, earned her biliteracy seal, and is graduating with an associate’s degree through the early college program.
What’s next: With help from the Dell Scholarship, Karomi will start college ahead of the game, with her basic classes completed.
Join an upcoming Consolidation Process Virtual Info Session on May 27 or June 5.
Highland Park Elementary School featured on CNBC News!
Highland Park Elementary School students hit the news this week with a highlight of their work delving inthe world of computer science with AI and VR with Hello World CS.
See a sneak peek of the mini-documentary linked here!
The details: By embracing advanced technologies, Highland Park is preparing students for the future, fostering skills in problem-solving, creativity, and digital literacy.
This initiative reflects Austin ISD's commitment to providing students with opportunities that extend beyond traditional learning.
What they’re saying: “It really (helps) kids to be worldly thinkers, creative thinkers and problem solvers,” Highland Park Elementary School Principal Katie Peña said. “I really believe that we’re setting them up for success.”
Learn more: For educators interested in bringing similar programs to their schools, Hello World CS offers free project access and support. Teachers can sign up for free project access here.
Graduation guests can pre-purchase parking through the parking website for events at the Burger Complex. Guests can also pre-purchase parking tickets. Free shuttles are still available for families from each high school. If you need ADA Parking, please arrive early. ADA parking at Burger Stadium will be available on both sides of the stadium on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mark your Calendar
Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month - May 1 to 31
Jewish American Heritage Month - May 1 to 31
Memorial Day Holiday - May 26
Rosedale School Graduation - May 28
Garza Independence Graduation - May 28
Last day of classes - May 29
Ann Richards School Graduation - May 29
Staff Development/Student Holiday/Teacher Last Day - May 30
McCallum High School Graduation - May 30
Crockett ECHS Graduation - May 30
Bowie High School Graduation - May 30
Austin Home Buyer Fair - May 31
For graduation dates, please visit the Graduation 2025 page.
For more calendar events visit Austin ISD Calendar of Events.
Alvan, the Little Book Bus, will be making stops at eight Austin ISD schools this summer, and all kids are invited to come to meet Alvan and pick out free books to take home.
Austin ISD In the News
With free tuition, Austin Community College sees jump in students enrolling right after high school - KUT
This week I attended the UpClose graduation ceremony! It was the biggest class since 2007, with 50 graduates! It’s so inspiring to see so many people learning about the district and ready to help make it better. I want to give a special shoutout to Aida Ortiz from Anderson High School, who performed “Señora señora,” a beautiful tribute to mothers. Not going to lie, it brought tears to my eyes!
Reminder: There will be no school on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. We’ll be back and ready to welcome students on Tuesday for the final week of school!
I will enjoy my long weekend resting and maybe going to watch the new Lilo & Stitch movie, because sometimes you just need a little ohana.
Have a great weekend, and we’ll see you at graduation!
Have a story idea?
Got a great story about an Austin ISD student, staff, parent, or community member? Share it with us! It could be featured on our website, in our newsletters, on social media, or even on the news!
For questions or comments please email me at nayeli.santoyoflores@austinisd.org
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.