Anyone else feeling the time change? Just me? Well, I know I’m not the only person that’s excited that Spring Break is just one week away! I hope all of our families and staff get some much needed rest. I’ll be taking a short trip to New Orleans with my family, and maybe get some golfing in as well.

Last week, after a talk at SXSW EDU, I got to meet Julia, McCallum High School junior, who was there as a student journalist covering the event alongside the PBS Media Team. Did y’all know that our CTE department has been partnering with PBS to bring PBS News Student Reporting Lab to our high schools for over a decade? As a part of this program, students from Navarro Early College High School and Austin High School have produced segments that have aired to millions of viewers on PBS NewsHour. Currently, we have 20 students that are learning the ins and outs of journalism through this partnership. Julia wants to attend UT’s Moody College of Communication and become a sports journalist in the future. I’m rooting for you, Julia!

Matias Segura next to Julia, McCallum High School junior

Where I’ll be and who I’m Meeting

Monday, March 10

When I get into the office, I have a one-on-one meeting with La Kesha Drinks, Interim Chief of Staff, followed by a senior staff meeting. We are continuing to progress the work on budget deficit reduction and planning for the next school year, as well as discussing the latest legislative updates. Afterward, I’ll meet with the team that is leading the planning work for our 2025 Graduation Ceremonies. This afternoon, I have two back to back one-on-one meetings, first with Trustee Singh and then with Trustee Kauffman. This evening, I have a meeting with Doyle Valdez, our Austin Ed Fund board chair, and Russell Valdez, Managing Partner & Founder at Moontower.

Tuesday, March 11

This morning, I’ll be at the “I Can” Role Model Fair at Campbell Elementary School. I’ll be among many professionals who will be there to talk to our Campbell Dragons and serve as a role model for them. I’ll talk about what my job entails and my educational/professional journey to get here, so that they can also imagine all that they want to do for a career and the steps it’ll take to get there. Afterward, I’ll meet with Ken Zarifis, President of Education Austin. When I return to the office, I’ll meet with Brandi Hosack, Chief of Talent Strategy. In the afternoon, I have an Executive Leadership Team meeting, followed by this month’s District Advisory Council meeting.

Wednesday, March 12

I’ll start off the day with a meeting with a partner, followed by a Legislative Check-in meeting with our General Counsel Kenneth Walker, and Chief of Governmental Relations and Board Services, Dr. Jacob Reach, and Chief of Communications and Community Relations, Ali Ghilarducci. This will be followed by a Quality Assurance meeting with our IT and SPED teams as we prepare for the next set of data submissions to the TEA. This afternoon, I have a TALAS Monthly Board Meeting. Afterward, I’ll travel to attend the LBJ Early College High School Groundbreaking Ceremony. I’ll then have a meeting with some community members - Former Trustee Cheryl Bradley and Archbishop Sterling Lands. Afterward, I’ll have a one-on-one meeting with Board Secretary Andrew Gonzales.

Thursday, March 13

The first thing today is a meeting with Travis County Superintendents and Sylvester Ortega, ICE Deputy Field Office Director. I requested this meeting so that our superintendents can have a chance to hear directly from Mr. Ortega and ask him questions to learn how they are operating in Central Texas. Afterward, I hope to attend the E3 Board of Directors Meeting. In the afternoon, I’ll be attending the Langford Elementary School Groundbreaking Ceremony. This evening, I’ll be at the Board Information Session, where my team will be presenting on Goal Progress Measure 1.1: 2nd Grade Literacy Intervention, Constraint Progress Measure 2.1: Caregiver Engagement, and TEA Approved Order Update.

Friday, March 14

There’s no school today for students! They’ll get an early start to their spring break. Many of our campus-based staff will have the day off as well because of our innovative Professional Learning Exchange Day program. This morning, I have a one-on-one meeting with Dr. Jacob Reach, followed by a governance meeting with board officers. Afterwards, I’ll meet with superintendents in the Austin area, followed by my regular check-in meeting with Mayor Watson. This evening, I’ll be attending the Austin Partners in Education 20 Year Anniversary Gala.

March 17-21

Spring Break - All schools and offices will be closed next week.

Recognize our amazing staff each month by submitting a RAVE!

Follow me on Instagram @matias_aisd. #StrongSchoolsStrongerAustin

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