September 2011

Austin ISD Celebrates Grand Opening of McCallum Arts Center

Austin, TX— The nationally recognized McCallum Fine Arts Academy has a new home at the magnificent McCallum Arts Center (MAC), located at McCallum High School. The Austin Independent School District (AISD) and the Friends of the McCallum Fine Arts Academy celebrated the grand opening on Friday, September 30 with an open house and performances by McCallum dance students, choir, band, orchestra and classical guitar students.

AISD's Whole Child/Every Child: a Multicultural Districtwide Focus - Partners with No Place for Hate

Mix it Up at Lunch day is an activity AISD schools can hold and submit toward earning a No Place for Hate® designation.

Mix It Up Schools
National Mix It Up at Lunch Day will be held Oct. 18, 2011
Teaching Tolerance's Mix It Up program helps K-12 teachers develop inclusive school communities.

To add your school to this national movement visit:

Board of Trustees Adopts Redistricting Plan

The Board of Trustees of the Austin Independent School District met in its Regular Board Meeting on Monday, September 26, 2011 and adopted its redistricting plan, establishing the boundaries for its single-member districts for the next ten years. The Board adopted the plan with a vote of 8 to 1.

The plan balances the population among the trustee districts, establishes new boundaries for use in future elections, and exercises the option to allow trustees to remain in office to serve the remainder of their term after redistricting.

Board of Trustees Extends Superintendent's Contract

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve a one-year extension of Superintendent Meria Carstarphen's employment contract by one year to June 30, 2014. On March 23, 2009, the Board of Trustees approved the employment contract of Dr. Carstarphen as the district’s Superintendent for a four-year term commencing on July 1, 2009 and ending on June 30, 2013. All other provisions, including compensation, remain unchanged.

Six AISD Schools Receive Green Ribbon Awards

The Austin Independent School District (AISD) is pleased to announce that six AISD schools have received the 2010-2011 Green Ribbon Schools Award. The campuses receiving this award are: Cunningham Elementary, Doss Elementary, O. Henry Middle School, Garza Independence High School and Travis High School.

Each school will receive a banner and a Green Ribbon School (GRS) badge to add to their website's homepage. GRS was developed by the Texas Children in Nature Coalition to promote children becoming more active with nature, while creating a greener community.

AISD Board Of Trustees To Take Formal Action On Superintendent’s Contract

Austin, TX— Austin Independent School District (AISD) Board of Trustee President Mark Williams will be available at 5:45 p.m. Monday, September 26, 2011 to discuss the proposed amendment to the regular Board meeting agenda, regarding an action item on Superintendent Meria Carstarphen’s contract. Williams will be available for brief comments prior to the regular Board meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Carruth Administration Center Board Auditorium, Room B100, 1111 West 6th St., Austin, Texas.

Who: AISD Board President Mark Williams

Statement From Mark Williams Regarding the Proposed Extension to Superintendent Meria Carstarphen's Employment Contract

Austin, TX—The Board of Trustees of the Austin Independent School District (AISD) is scheduled to take action on a proposed amendment to extend the term of Superintendent Meria Carstarphen's employment contract by one year at the Monday, September 26 board meeting. On March 23, 2009, the Board of Trustees approved the employment contract of Dr. Carstarphen as the district's Superintendent for a four-year term commencing on July 1, 2009 and ending on June 30, 2013. The proposed amendment would extend the contract by one year to June 30, 2014.

National AFT Leader Spotlights Education Employees “Making a Difference Every Day”

American Federation of Teachers’ (AFT) Executive Vice President Lorretta Johnson recently visited a bus barn and elementary school in Austin where an innovative partnership involving teachers, administrators and the business community supports the efforts of successful educators who are helping to raise student academc achievement.

Johnson's visit to Austin was part of the American Federation of Teachers coast-to-coast back-to-school tour of schools making a difference in the lives of students, despite education budget cuts and other challenges.