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State Officials Release Federal Funding for School Districts
Gov. Greg Abbott and other state officials this afternoon announced that they would release $11.2 billion in one-time federal funds to Texas schools. Designed to help districts address unfinished learning and costs incurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the funds were approved as part of three separate pieces of legislation.
Menchaca Elementary School Groundbreaking
Together with families, staff, students and the community—including relatives of the campus's namesake—Austin ISD last week celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Menchaca Elementary School. Students talked about the benefits they will receive from the new campus at the Aug. 30 events. Accompanied by the Akins High School band, visitors joined Menchaca Mustangs to create a human chain…
Board discusses potential budget cuts due to legislative inaction on school funding (En español)
Austin ISD is entering into the 2024-25 budget planning cycle facing a potential $60M deficit if the district maintains the same spending as last year. How we got here: Despite Texas’s $33B budget surplus, virtually no additional per-student funding was approved during the last 88th Legislative Session. The big picture: Inflationary costs such as energy, fuel, insurance and…
AISD Superintendent Statement on School Shooting in Connecticut
Austin, TX—The Austin Independent School District released the following statement from Superintendent Meria Carstarphen regarding the school shooting in Newtown, Conn.:We are deeply saddened to learn about today’s tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Our thoughts and prayers are with the school’s community and families.
As Omicron falls, attendance for athletics and fine arts can increase (En español)
We’re opening up our Fine Arts and Athletics events and lifting audience capacity restrictions, effective immediately, while still requiring all attendees to wear masks. Why it matters: Our kids deserve to be celebrated, especially with playoffs and other end-of-year performances coming up. Yes, but: Masks are still required anytime you’re inside an Austin ISD facility, including…
Austin ISD classes, activities and operations—including all bus routes—are delayed two hours tomorrow, Jan. 17/Clases, actividades y operaciones del Austin ISD—incluyendo las rutas de los autobuses—se retrasarán por 2 horas mañana, 17 de enero
To ensure the safety of all our students, families and staff, all Austin ISD classes, activities and operations—including all bus routes—are delayed two hours tomorrow, Jan. 17. Buses will pick up students and classes will begin two hours after their normal schedule.We will continue to monitor the lingering weather effects and receive updates from the National Weather…
Pre-K and Kinder registrations spike for the 2022-23 school year
In another sign that the pandemic is waning, registrations for Austin ISD pre-K and kindergarten have already doubled what they were last spring. Why it matters: The district saw the largest decrease in enrollment among pre-K and kindergarten through the pandemic, and this accounted for a large portion of the district failing to meet enrollment expectations.
Let’s Talk Question of the Week (En español)
Question: Will Austin ISD require masks and/or offer a virtual learning option in response to recent news about new variant strains?
The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts Announces Austin, Texas as Partner City for Any Given Child
Program Creates a Long-Range Arts Education Plan for Students Grades K-8The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has chosen Austin, Texas as the seventh partner city for Any Given Child, a program that creates a long-range arts education plan for students in grades K-8. The program will incorporate existing resources of the Austin Independent School District, along with those of local…
Dispatching the Competition: Bowie High School Newspaper Wins Pacemaker Award
(Story written by Rachel Baschnagel, Bowie High School journalism student.)