Welcome to Week 36 of school! We’re entering the final stretch of the semester — just two weeks to go! Best of luck to all our high school students as they begin final exams this Friday. We’re cheering you on! And a big shout out to the Anderson High School baseball team, who is continuing on in their playoff run. They’ll compete in the regional finals starting May 24. Go Trojans!

Last week at Perez Elementary, I had the honor of joining the ribbon cutting ceremony for Derrick Johnson’s Discovery Den, a dynamic new addition to their Maker Space and library collection. Perez is the sixth campus Mr. Johnson’s Defend the Dream Foundation has partnered with over the last few years. This kind of meaningful community investment in our schools is exactly what drives progress — especially in the area of Early Literacy, a top priority for my administration and our board. I’m deeply grateful for the partnerships that help us progress this work.

A group of elementary students sit on colorful benches and carpet, attentively listening to a speaker at a podium inside a decorated classroom. Behind the speaker is a mural featuring a football player and motivational quotes in English and Spanish. The room includes balloons, books, and signage for “DJ’s Discovery Den” and the “Defend the Dream Foundation.” Adults are seated around the room, observing the event.

A group of elementary students and adults participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony inside a colorful classroom with a rainbow rug. The wall behind them features a large mural of a Texas Longhorns football player and motivational quotes in English and Spanish. The event is part of the grand opening of DJ’s Discovery Den, supported by Derrick Johnson’s Defend the Dream Foundation. A few attendees capture the moment on their phones.

Exciting news! We’re transitioning to a powerful new Special Education data management system for the upcoming school year! Beginning this summer, we’ll be implementing Frontline’s Plan and Service Management Solutions to better support our students, families, and staff. Our special education team members will receive comprehensive training before the start of the school year to ensure a smooth and successful rollout. When students return, our staff will be fully prepared to guide families through the new system and introduce its features and interface.

The decision to transition to a new software was not an easy one, but we did so knowing that it will help us meet the requirements of Priority 3 in the TEA Agreed Order. And by streamlining administrative tasks and providing user-friendly dashboards, this new system will empower teachers and campus administrators with more time for collaborative planning, ultimately leading to improved and more personalized student outcomes in special education and Section 504.

Where I’ll be and who I’m Meeting

Monday, May 19

This morning, I’ll have a call with Dr. Allen Weeks, Executive Director of Austin Voices for Education and Youth. Then I’ll meet with my Senior Staff to progress our work on the budget, school improvement planning, and school consolidation tool development. One of the things we’ll be covering is the results of a recent study my team did on principal workload throughout the year. These insights will inform how we better align central office supports for campus leaders. In the afternoon, I’ll have a staffing strategy meeting, followed by a board meeting for Austin Partners in Education. Later, I’ll meet with my Operations team to receive an update on the 2022 Bond Program. Then, I’ll head to our annual Austin ISD Retiree Recognition Dinner, sponsored by the Austin Ed Fund. This year, we have 218 retirees, and they have 4,387 combined years of service in Austin ISD!

Tuesday, May 20

I’ll be spending time on campuses this morning walking through classrooms. I have a lunch meeting with Gilbert Zavala, VP of Education and Talent Development at Opportunity Austin, and Rick Whiteley, Board Chair & Executive Committee Chair for Austin Partners in Education. In the afternoon, I’ll attend the quality assurance meeting in preparation for our next data submission to TEA, as part of our agreed order. Following that, I’ll have a phone call with a partner, then a one-on-one meeting with Board President Lynn Boswell. She and I will then join our Governmental Relations team for a legislative check-in. This evening, I'll be meeting with our Interim Chief Financial Officer Katrina Montgomery to review her presentation for this Thursday’s board meeting.

Wednesday, May 21

I have a one-on-one meeting with Board Secretary Andrew Gonzales. Afterwards, I’ll be attending the Austin Ed Fund Full Board meeting, followed by a budget discussion with a few trustees. This afternoon I will head to a meeting with Austin Chamber’s Education & Workforce Council. Afterwards, I’ll attend the UpClose Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony. UpClose is a unique program that allows our parents and community members to learn about Austin ISD first hand — its infrastructure, programs and services — through monthly meetings where participants have the opportunity to interact with district leadership. If you’ve never taken advantage of this, I encourage you to apply next year.

Thursday, May 22

This morning, I’ll meet with Trustee de Urioste for our regular one-on-one. I’ll spend some time in the office looking through and signing contracts, and then attend the Ann Richards School Foundation Board of Directors meeting. When I get back into the office, I’ll have a one-on-one meeting with La Kesha Drinks, Interim Chief of Staff. This afternoon, I’ll spend some time with my team to prepare for this evening’s Board Regular Voting Meeting. One of the things on the agenda for tonight is a presentation of 2025-26 Recommended General Fund, Food Service, and Debt Service Budgets. Before the Voting Meeting, I’ll be attending the Austin ISD Public Facility Corporation Board Meeting.

Friday, May 23

This morning, I’ll be traveling to the Valley to see my family and to attend a graduation ceremony for a close family friend. In the afternoon, I’ll be jumping on the Principals Update Call to brief them on legislative developments and outcomes from last night’s board meeting. While in the Valley, I’ll be attending the Celebration of Life ceremony and paying my respect for a colleague who worked with us at Austin ISD until recently.

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