July 1, 2009 - ‘Excited to be part of a great community,’ She Says  
 
Announces All-Staff Convocation on August 18  
 
Dr. Meria Carstarphen today pledged to work tirelessly as Austin School Superintendent, to realize high academic achievement for all Austin students.  
 
Dr. Carstarphen took her first official campus tour as Austin Superintendent, visiting summer reading and math programs at J.J. Pickle Elementary School. She also ate lunch with students in the cafeteria and met with school staff. Then she visited with Austin-area news media.

“During my first official visit to Austin, several months ago, I was struck by the quality and the commitment of the staff in Austin; the engagement of parents and families in the education of their children; and the support of the community for public education,” she said.  
 
“Today, I am excited to become part of this great community — to become a leader in advancing education to new heights — and I pledge to work tirelessly to realize high academic achievement for all our students.”  
 
Dr. Carstarphen now leads an urban school district with almost 83,000 students, 12,000 employees, and an annual budget of more than $864 million. Sixty-two percent of Austin’s students live below the poverty line, and 29 percent are English-language learners. These challenges, she said, are opportunities.  
 
“We face challenges, and my goal is to turn those challenges into opportunities. The future of Austin depends upon tapping the brainpower and creativity of Austin students, and to help them realize their full potential,” she said, pledging to operate the District with efficiency and effectiveness.  
 
“We cannot, and will not, be afraid to change what needs to be changed, to better serve the interests of our children. It will require the courage to do things a little differently, when necessary.”  
 
Dr. Carstarphen said she is eager to share her vision with District staff, and has called for an All-Staff Convocation on Tuesday, August 18, at the Travis County Expo Center. Two sessions will be held to accommodate all AISD employees — at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Her message to staff: “You Make a Difference!”  
 
“It’s critical that we all understand our importance in realizing higher student achievement,” she said.  
 
Press Conference Video - Dr. Meria Carstarphen