On May 13, the district provided an update on future school consolidations and requested input from families and community members through an online survey.
What’s happening
AISD is planning to consolidate some of its 116 campuses to reduce costs and avoid further budget cuts as it faces a mounting budget shortfall.
The district could merge one or more campuses—a process that could include:
- Closing schools
- Changing attendance zone boundaries
- Evaluating its transfer policy
- Repurposing facilities
The district is projecting a $101 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2024-25 after making $63 million cuts to its central office operations. For FY 2025-26, AISD is projecting a $144 million budget shortfall that could be reduced to $129 million if the district realizes $15 million in savings from vacant positions, interim Chief Financial Officer Katrina Montgomery said at an April 24 meeting.
The district is projected to deplete its fund balance by FY 2026-27 if drastic changes are not made, Montgomery said.
AISD has 25,000 empty seats as more than 10,000 students have left the district over the last decade, according to district information.
Beyond cutting expenses, AISD plans to consolidate schools to “safeguard the academic experience” by investing more in fewer campuses, the district’s website states. The district’s resources are “spread too thin,” which has left schools under-resourced.
In case you missed it
In early April, AISD officials proposed closing Dobie Middle School after the school received two consecutive years of failed state accountability ratings. The district has since shifted to pursuing a restart of the campus along with Webb and Burnet middle schools, which have also received multiple failed ratings, due to community feedback.
This plan would involve replacing some of the campuses’ teachers and administrator with experienced, high-performing educators who could receive up to $20,000 in stipends.
During its school consolidation process, AISD will consider accountability ratings; however, “a high accountability rating does not mean that a school would not be considered as part of a consolidation plan,” AISD’s website states. The district will evaluate schools to address under- or over-enrollment.
Community Impact asked Superintendent Matias Segura about how A-F ratings might impact school consolidations at an April 24 press conference.
“It will be a part of it, but it won’t be a focus,” Segura said.
Get involved
AISD sent an email to staff and families May 13 with a survey link that is connected to their campuses.
Community members may complete the following survey by June 6.
The district will host virtual and in-person meetings with community members this summer. AISD will meet with affected schools once they are identified.
Community engagement will not focus on whether to close specific schools but the values and priorities guiding AISD’s decision as well as ensuring a smooth transition, according to the district’s website.
What’s next
This summer, the district plans to prepare for future school consolidations by:
- Setting board priorities to guide its process
- Creating a tool to inform school consolidations
- Developing a process for transfer policy decisions and attendance boundary changes
- Using community feedback and data to determine options
The district expects to have a detailed plan for specific school consolidations along with transition plans by mid-fall 2025.
Visit the district’s school consolidations webpage or YouTube video to learn more.
