Hello Friends,

Hopefully you've had the chance to read the latest message from Superintendent Segura and Board President Boswell on the 2023 Accountability Ratings. It is the first district-wide release of accountability scores since 2019. Have questions? Check out our FAQ.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with Austin ISD we welcome them to submit their interest in becoming a volunteer! More information is located online at the Austin ISD Volunteer Program page.

Earth Week runs through the April 30! 🌎 ☀️ The Bowie Bee Club 🐝 installed two new hives on campus just in time for Earth Week! Check out their photos on the Austin ISD instagram page. Amazing work y'all! ⭐️

And, shoutout to our amazing, wonderful principals! May 1 is National School Principal Day! How will you recognize your principals? 💕

Let’s get started….

​It’s time again for another installment of the Board Bulletin.​ During our Board Voting Session this week, we dug into the newly-released 2023 Accountability Ratings from the Texas Education Agency, the district’s budget and the Dobie Middle School turnaround plan. Let's get to it. 

Since it’s a voting meeting, the lion’s share of the presentations occurred in the Superintendent’s Report. 

• First up, Superintendent Segura shared a draft roadmap for how the district will arrive at a school consolidations plan by this coming November.

  • The process will include developing board priorities to guide decision-making, establishing a tool to determine which schools could be considered for closure, discussing guidelines for school boundary changes and analyzing options that will get students in the best possible learning environments. 

  • The district is developing a comprehensive engagement process to ensure community feedback and values are reflected in all aspects of the plan.

• Next, trustees and district leaders discussed the future of Dobie Middle School, which was originally on a timeline to have a turnaround plan required for federal accountability finalized by April 30.

  • This week, TEA provided new guidance that extended the timeline to June 30. 

  • This gives the district more time to explore options to support Dobie and break the accountability chain without resorting to a charter or closing the school.

  • At the administration’s request, the board voted to remove item 11.7 from the agenda, which would have authorized funding for installing portables on the Lamar Middle School campus to potentially make room for Dobie students. 

  • Dobie will now be a part of a broader school improvement initiative to comprehensively address accountability challenges across the district. 

  • With the release of the 2023 accountability ratings, Burnet and Webb middle schools are now on the same timeline as Dobie. All three campuses have now received a third consecutive F-rating and are required to submit targeted improvement plans to TEA. 

  • District leaders will present the Dobie, Webb and Burnet turnaround plans at their May 8 Board info session and are anticipated to vote on the plans at their May 22 voting meeting.

• Next, Superintendent Matias Segura and senior staff gave trustees an overview of the 2023 accountability results released earlier in the day by the Texas Education Agency. 

  • The test significantly changed for the 2023 testing cycle, including moving all online, increasing the scores needed for high grades and introducing writing components.

  • When comparing 2023 ratings to the prior year, 48 schools earned the same grade or higher, while 64 received a lower letter grade than in 2022. 

  • 16 schools dropped from a B in 2022 to an F in 2023.

  • Statewide, with this new measure, there has been a 233% increase in F-rated schools. 

  • Read the message from Superintendent Segura and Board President Lynn Boswell to learn more about what we’ve already done to transform our system since 2023 and follow our meetings to learn what more will be happening to ensure all students have what they need to be successful. 

• Interim Chief Financial Officer Katrina Montgomery presented the 2025-26 preliminary budget, which includes a projected $65 million deficit. 

  • The district is continuing to grapple with getting to a balanced budget, while protecting students’ educational experience and maintaining a 20% fund balance. 

  • Some notable changes for the next fiscal year budget include $8.2 million reductions in Central Office school leadership positions and closures of the Graduation Prep Academies, $4 million increase in police services related to HB 3 and an increase in Special Education staffing to continue reducing our reliance on more costly contractors. 

  • A recommended budget is expected to be presented to the board on May 22.

  • The board must adopt a budget for 2025-26 by the end of June. 

• The Board met a major milestone in the TEA Agreed Order.

  • As part of their Lone Star Governance work, the trustees complete a quarterly LSG Board Self-Evaluation. That tracks progress toward goals under the LSG framework.

  • The agreed order requires the board to reach “meets” level of progress within two years - a metric they met much earlier than required - followed by three additional quarters at the “meets” level.

  • Last night’s self-evaluation measured progress through March, and document’s the board’s accomplishment of this requirement.

What’s next: Join us May 8 for the next Board Information Session. 

Student art from Linder Elementary School is now featured on a CapMetro bus as part of this year’s Art on the Bus collaboration with CapMetro and Creative Action to celebrate Earth Day.

Why it matters: The annual event highlights sustainability, creativity, and student voice, helping teach the community about the importance of public transportation, environmental stewardship, and how art can drive impact.

Congratulations to the talented 4th graders from Linder whose work is featured this year:

• David Exequiel Martinez Villatoro

• Gabriella Aponte De La O

• Julian Emanuel Chan Lopez

• Sadie Webre

• Jade Abigail Monroy Alvarez

• Camila Sofia Hernandez Rivera

• Dayana Diaz Banda

• Julyanna Mendosa

What they’re saying: “It was such a joy to see Linder Elementary’s artwork larger than life on a CapMetro bus!” Fine Arts Coordinator Dr. Kara Czepiel said. “Huge kudos to the students and their art teacher for turning public transportation into a moving celebration of Earth Day. What a brilliant reminder that creativity can thrive anywhere—even on wheels!

The wrapped CapMetro vehicles will remain in service for the next year, giving thousands of Central Texans a glimpse of what our young artists care about most: a cleaner, greener future.

Summer learning is from May 28 until August 8. 

Arab American Heritage Month - April 1-30

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - April 26

ACE Austin Showcase 2025 - April 26

Unity Walk & Kids Fest 2025 - April 26

LBJ Early College High School Trustee Conversation - April 29

Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month - May 1 to 31

Jewish American Heritage Month - May 1 to 31

Austin ISD Budget Talks - May 3

For more calendar events visit Austin ISD Calendar of Events.

We are excited to announce our upcoming productions! Join us this summer in the Black Box for The Wizard of Oz by Erin Detrick, and don't miss Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The New Musical on our main stage.

Release of TEA accountability scores bring concern from Texas lawmakers, school officials - Statesman

After two year pause, Texas Education Agency releases 2023 A-F accountability scores - Austin Statesman

Happening this weekend…

You're invited to the 20th Annual Unity Walk and 9th Annual Kids Fest! Join the Unity Walk at 9 a.m. as the group walks Webb Middle School to Northeast Early College High School in the hour leading up to the festival.

Saturday is also the the ACE Austin Showcase at Eastside Early College High School! Enjoy performances from choir, cheer, dance clubs, ROTC, and more, while exploring hands-on activity tables with exciting take-home prizes like books, toys, and giveaways.

Plus...Día del Niño Fest is 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Community Love Hub at Mendez Middle School! You can expect art, food, music and prizes!

Take care,

JJ

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For questions or comments you may email me at jorge.maldonado@austinisd.org

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