Hello Families! 

Welcome, September! I hope you had a good long weekend.

Reminder:  Every Wednesday you can learn more about district services and topics through the Tools for Success sessions.

…Austin ISD is very excited to share “Maestro en Casa” is celebrating 10 years! This year the program is adding computer skills thanks to a donation of 150 refurbished laptops from Human I-T.  Learn more about this awesome program that empowers family members.

This year, Austin ISD has significant decisions on the ballot, including Prop A and four Board of Trustee positions. Be sure to register and make your voice heard on Election Day!

Now, let’s get started…

The newly formed ad-hoc budget committee met Tuesday to continue discussions on how to save money and generate revenue as the district grapples with a $78 million deficit. 

Why it matters: The district is making every effort to leave no stone unturned in the process to reduce its deficit over the next three years. 

• This includes the committee’s work while also asking voters for $41 million through a tax rate election, on the ballot as Prop A. 

How it works: The joint committee, which is composed of 26 members from standing advisory bodies and other key stakeholder groups, will explore a comprehensive list of staff and services the district is not legally obligated to fund and could cut to balance the budget. 

Yes, and…Given our current fiscal reality, the district must cut an additional $48 million from the budget, regardless of whether voters approve Prop A.

• The approval of Prop A would prevent us from making even deeper cuts and would allow Austin ISD to offer competitive pay raises to teachers and staff.

What’s next: The Committee will meet every Tuesday in September to explore cost-saving options and inform a proposal to the Board of Trustees. The Board will ultimately decide how the district will save money to reduce its deficit. 

• Prop A will be on the ballot on Nov. 5, with early voting starting Oct. 21. 

• Mark your calendars to join a Prop A information session now through Election Day. 

This week we’ll begin our process of moving teachers to where they’re most needed.

Why it matters: This annual process, often called leveling, will help balance class sizes across campuses and the district.

Of note: Each year we do our best to predict how many students will enroll at each school.

• This is why registering students before school starts is so important, because it helps us get an accurate picture of where teachers are needed.

Don't worry: No one's job is at risk during this process.

• We'll move teachers to where our students are — some schools have more students than expected and need more teachers while others have fewer.

• We estimate that fewer than .5% of our teachers will need to be reassigned to support students on other campuses. 

Big picture: We’re working on making these changes early in the year so students and staff can settle in for the rest of the year.

• Middle and high school students may experience schedule changes as teachers move where they’re needed.

• Elementary students may have a new teacher and classmates as classes shift.

What's next: Affected staff will be notified by Friday, Sept. 6.

• Parents of affected students will be notified by Monday, Sept. 9.

• New classes will officially start by Monday, Sept. 16.

Austin ISD is improving campus conditions by replacing and repairing HVAC systems across the district through the Bond program.

• This summer, the district completed 22 HVAC projects. 

• Complex replacements require design and permitting and are scheduled during the summer months to ensure safety and avoid disruptions to learning.

Level Set: Austin ISD continues to make essential upgrades to our HVAC systems based on urgency. 

• On average, our schools are around 50 years old with outdated HVAC systems. 

• Projects are prioritized based on urgency and complexity. Simple fixes, like those reducing the need for rental equipment, are prioritized. More complex upgrades are integrated into larger targeted projects and school modernizations.

• Schools that were modernized through the 2017 Bond Program face fewer HVAC issues and their systems are better suited to withstand Texas weather. These investments reduce maintenance costs and eliminate the need for expensive temporary equipment.

Hot Weather Guidelines: We’re doing everything we can to ensure student and teacher safety in extreme temperatures.

• Check out our updated temperature guidelines for more information on outdoor safety in hot weather.

The bottom line: We are committed to creating safe and comfortable learning environments for our students and staff. 

• Thanks to Austin voters, we’re overhauling many of our systems to make lasting improvements and minimize disruptions.

Go Deeper: with our Bond HVAC FAQ.

Tools for Success - Sept. 11

Board Information Meeting - Sept. 12

AISD High School Transition Information Session- Sept. 14

Hispanic Heritage Month- Sept. 15- Oct. 15

For more events, please visit the Calendar of Events website.

Austin ISD Election Season Is Underway- Austin Chronicle

I am glad that the temperatures are slowly dropping. One of my favorite seasons is autumn. This weekend I’m planning on continuing renovations of my son's room. I started it a few weeks ago and haven't been able to finish it…yet! 

And even though we just started school a little while ago, I want to remind you that you can honor an Austin ISD teacher or staff member by telling the story of their impact on you or your children. Submit your story. 

Nayeli 💛 

This document has been translated using an AI-powered machine translation tool through Thrillshare. As a result, it may contain inaccuracies, errors, or inconsistencies that do not reflect the original content accurately. Austin ISD strives for high-quality translations and has a dedicated translation team, but sometimes we might have to use AI tools for critical or time-sensitive communications.