✍️ A Message from Matias 

Celebrating Our Austin ISD School Resource Officers: Feb 16 – Feb 20 

We are so lucky to have some of the most dedicated School Resource Officers (SROs) in the entire state. This week is all about showing them some love during SRO Appreciation Week. Whether you see them at one of our campuses, the service centers, or right here at central office, please take a second to say thanks for the heart they put into keeping our school family safe every single day.

Teacher of Promise & Teacher of the Year Highlights 

I’m still buzzing from last week’s events at Springdale Station! Getting to celebrate both our "Teachers of Promise" and our "Teachers of the Year" was a total highlight for me. The energy in that room was absolutely electric. I loved getting to sit down with our newest educators and our seasoned pros alike to hear about their journeys in the classroom. One thing was crystal clear: our educators have a deep passion for what they do here at Austin ISD. Huge congrats to all the nominees—we are so glad you chose us!

Your Seat is Waiting: 2026–27 Enrollment is Open!

K-12 general enrollment and transfer applications for the 2026–27 school year officially opens today! We can’t wait to see your student in our classrooms! 

When you’re ready to register, you can:

Find Your School: Every K–12 student in our district is guaranteed a seat at their zoned school. Use our interactive map to find yours!

Explore Options: Through Enroll Austin, families can rank up to seven programs or campuses to find the perfect fit.

Mark Your Calendar: Families interested in enrolling in Pre-K3 and/or Pre-K4 can register beginning April 1.

Monday, Feb 16, 2026: 

Welcome back! I hope you had a restful and enjoyable weekend. Although today is Presidents’ Day, I’ll be participating in a communications meeting focused on strengthening our strategic communications efforts. These conversations are important to ensure we remain aligned in our messaging and priorities. Later today, I will meet with our Board Officers, followed by my regular check-in with Board President Boswell. I will conclude the day with our school transition planning team as they continue their thoughtful and thorough preparation for the upcoming campus moves scheduled for Summer 2026..

Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026: 

I will begin Tuesday morning with our Senior Leadership Team to review key focus areas, including budget and staffing priorities.In the afternoon, I’ll meet with staff to finalize our Targeted Improvement Plans and Local Improvement Plans presentation. I will then connect with Trustee Gonzalez before concluding the day with the School Safety and Security Committee meeting.

Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026: 

Wednesday kicks off with the Austin Chamber of Commerce. We’re teaming up with Travis County to talk through some big topics, including childcare and after school programs. The afternoon is all about internal check-ins with our CFO, Katrina Montgomery, and our Technology Officer, Dr. Oscar Rodriguez. I’ll cap off the day at Dobie Middle School to visit with staff—y'all, the work being done there is incredible. We’re really seeing great progress!

Thursday, Feb 19, 2026: 

It’s a packed Thursday! I’m starting the morning with Chief of Staff La Kesha Drinks to see where we stand on our big projects. Then, I’ll gather with my direct reports and handle anything that needs our attention. After a quick lunch with Dr. Mary Ann Maxwell, Assistant Superintendent Academics I’ll be back for a check-in with our officers to make sure we’re all working in sync to support our campuses. Later, I’ll get an update on our middle school "Restart" campuses (Burnet, Dobie, and Webb) before jumping on the TEA Superintendent call. I’ll end my day at the ACC Rio Grande Campus for "Leading with Love: A 2026 State of ACC"—it’s a great chance to talk plainly about how we’re preparing our students for what’s next.

Friday, Feb 20, 2026: 

Happy Friday! I’ll be spending most of today preparing the presentations and deliverables for next week’s Board Voting Meeting. 

Take care of yourselves and each other. We’re in this together! 

Recognize our amazing staff each month by submitting a RAVE!

Follow me on Instagram @matias_aisd. #StrongSchoolsStrongerAustin

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