Austin ISD FY2026-27 Preliminary Reductions Comment Card 

Austin ISD has done everything possible to keep budget cuts away from the classroom, but we have reached a point where that’s no longer sustainable. We must now make significant changes, and we are asking our community to help us decide how to do that while protecting what makes our district special. 

The comment card form is an opportunity to share your thoughts about the 2026-27 budget. 

Please enter your contact information, select a topic, and let us know your comments. You may fill out a form for each topic you are interested in commenting on. We have assigned appropriate subject matter experts to review and consider responses.

Community Engagement on the 2026-27 Budget

The district budget is a complex planning process that includes all levels of district input as well as coordination with the community. It starts early in the school year with a development calendar that outlines requirements, engagement, and outreach opportunities. Below are some of those outreach opportunities.

• The Budget Ad Hoc Committee plays an important advising role. The committee is composed of members from other standing district organizations and committees. They have come together seven times between September and May with complex discussion on all budget areas and strategic priorities. Find more information on the Budget Ad Hoc Committee website. 
• Seven district-level community meetings have been spread across February through May to inform our Austin community on the budget process and potential spending allocations. These have occurred over zoom and in-person opportunities (see below for dates and slides). 
• Our campuses have created multiple opportunities within their communities totalling 70 campus staff conversations, 65 CAC (Campus Advisory Committee) meetings, 49 PTA (Parent Teacher Advisory) meetings, and 47 principal coffees. 

We have also created virtual tools to improve outreach and communication. Between April 10-30 a survey collected input on the budget process. We received 6,988 responses from the community. View the full 2026-27 Budget Survey Report. Findings and themes were utilized to help inform priorities for the budget. We also opened a comment card starting on May 5 to provide space for feedback as proposed budget drafts have been made available. At 11 a.m. on June 18, 1,440 had submitted a comment card for review. Similar to the survey, district researchers and experts are reviewing submissions. Themes are in alignment with many found in the survey, and provide examples of personal realities or impacts. They have helped refine the process and will continue to help shape future decisions. The comment card will run until June 18 at 5 p.m. to allow for full engagement as we bring the budget to a vote before the Austin ISD Board of Trustees. We thank everyone who has engaged with the budget process this year, from meetings to surveys and comments. Your contributions have been very helpful, especially during a tough process where we have required thoughtful consideration for how we spend limited funds. We thank you for your partnership and dedication to our students.

2026 Community Conversations