We’re just two weeks away from the start of winter break, y’all!

As we wrap up the first semester, I want to encourage you to take a moment to nominate an outstanding Austin ISD team member for their continued commitment to student excellence and achievement. This year's annual Salute celebration has ten categories: Campus Clerical/Office, Support Staff of the Year, Teaching Assistant of the Year, Custodial/Facilities Maintenance Staff of the Year, Transportation Staff of the Year, Food Service/Warehouse Staff of the Year, Campus Safety and Security Staff of the Year, Librarian of the Year, Counselor of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year, and Principal of the Year. Nominations close January 15 at 5 p.m.

It’s important that we celebrate all our staff positions as each person in Austin ISD has an key role in supporting the educational experience of our students and families.

a graphic with a black background that says salute

Last week, I got to take part in the Houston Elementary School groundbreaking ceremony. Watching our students singing and playing instruments and shouting in excitement about the new building they’ll be receiving is a great reminder of what all this is about.

students, the community, and Matias Segura take a picture with shovels at the groundbreaking of Houston Elementary

Where I’ll be and who I’m Meeting

Monday, December 9

The first thing this morning is the standing meeting I have with my senior staff. On the agenda for this week is board meeting preparation, debrief from senior team work session on Saturday, staff engagement around the budget and the transition of the special education data management platform. Afterwards, I have a meeting with Trustee LaRessa Quintana, our newly elected District 2 Trustee. In the afternoon I have a couple of one-on-one meetings — first with Board President Arati Singh, and then with Trustee Kauffman. This evening, I’ll be attending the Austin ISD Town Hall regarding the MoPac South project.

Tuesday, December 10

Today, I’ll start with a meeting with Dean Martinez at UT College of Education regarding our collaboration for the Austin Research-Practice Partnership. From there, I’ll head to Zavala Elementary School, where I will lead a master class for our families participating in Maestro en Casa. When I get back to the office, I will be joining a Region 13 Zoom call with other superintendents in the I-35 Superintendent Cluster. Afterwards, I have a governance meeting with our board officers. This afternoon, I have a one-on-one meeting with Chief of Austin ISD Police Department, Wayne Sneed. In the evening, I’ll be attending the Austin Ed Fund Regular Board Meeting.

Wednesday, December 11

This morning, I have some dedicated office time to meet with various leaders to progress the work on district initiatives and the budget. In the afternoon, I’ll be meeting with Geronimo Rodriguez, former Austin ISD trustee and longtime advocate. From there, I’ll travel to the Pecan Springs Elementary School Groundbreaking Ceremony. As part of the 2022 Bond Program, Austin ISD is investing $47.6M into Pecan Spring’s full modernization project. The new building will feature flexible learning spaces to support a variety of learning styles, designed by and for the Pecan Springs community. When I return to the office, I have a one-on-one meeting with Michelle Wallis, Executive Director of Innovation and Development. Afterwards, I will meet with Trustee Whitley-Chu and Board Secretary Lynn Boswell to discuss the progression of our Pre-K program expansion including tuition-based. Next, I’ll join a Zoom call with leaders of the Black Leaders Collective where we’ll discuss how Austin ISD can better serve our historically underserved students. This evening, I have two back to back meetings — first with Trustee Hunter, Trustee Whitley-Chu and Trustee Gonzales regarding the development of our Academic Vision, and then our Ad Hoc Joint Community Budget Committee’s bi-monthly update meeting.

Thursday, December 12

We’ll start off today with a holiday breakfast for our central office employees. We have some of the hardest working staff in all of Texas, and I cannot pass up this opportunity to show appreciation for them. Then I have a one-on-one meeting with Trustee Whitley-Chu. After a short interview with the Statesman, I will meet with Ken Zarifis, president of Education Austin. In the afternoon, I have a one-on-one meeting with our interim CFO, Katrina Montgomery. Then, in keeping with my commitment to provide transparency regarding our special education work, I provide an end of semester update during a media availability. After hopping on a TEA Superintendent call, I will use the rest of the afternoon to prepare for this evening’s Board Information Session. Tonight, one of the things we’ll discuss is Scorecard GPM 4.1: “The percentage of 6th-grade students identified as economically disadvantaged who enroll in accelerated mathematics and persist to course completion will increase from 21% in June 2024 to 39% by June 2029.”

Friday, December 13

This morning, I’ll be meeting with executive directors and assistant superintendents in Teaching, Learning and Leading. Afterwards, I have a meeting with Dr. Robert Sormani, Superintendent of Manor ISD. I’ll spend the rest of the afternoon in the office meeting with various leaders to progress district initiatives, wrapping up work from the week, and to focus on reading and approving contracts that are sitting in my queue.

Recognize our amazing staff each month by submitting a RAVE!

Follow me on X @Matias_AISD. #StrongSchoolsStrongerAustin

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