Education
BY ELLE BENT & BROOKE SJOBERG
AISD superintendent lone finalist named After more than a year without a perma- nent superintendent, the Austin ISD board of trustees named interim superintendent Matias Segura as the lone finalist on Dec. 14. The gist In a closed door meeting Dec. 7, trustees reviewed six applications ultimately selecting Segura as the top candidate. "[Segura] is Austin ISD's first homegrown superintendent. He's a product of Austin ISD, the son of a beloved Austin ISD teacher and a proud parent of two Austin ISD students. [Segura] is a shining example that anything is possible for Austin ISD students," board member Kathryn Whitley Chu said Dec. 14. The board plans to vote on Segura's contract on Jan. 25, following community feedback events.
AISD improves on special education backlog Austin ISD has met milestones in its agreement with the Texas Education Agency in regards to a backlog of special education evaluations, district officials said in an email sent to families on Nov. 16. The gist All initial evaluations from the 2021-22 school year and older have been completed, according to the email. As of Oct. 31 the district has completed over 98% of initial evaluations and eligibility determinations for students from the 2022-23 school year. The background On Sept. 26, AISD accepted a proposal from the TEA for a state-appointed monitor over the district’s special education department, due to the findings of an investigation of the district’s special education evaluations.
Aside from meeting evaluation deadlines, the district has outlined goals to improve the special education department including: New goals
Increasing professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators Improving data management and reporting systems
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Engaging families
The agency found as of March 20, the district had more than 1,800 special education evaluations overdue, meaning 1,800 students were awaiting potential access to accommodations at school. Additionally, the TEA reported 40 instances of “systemic noncompliance” in which AISD did not meet special education needs in a timely manner. What’s next? The board of trustees will receive an update on the district’s progress on special education during a regular board meeting Jan. 25.
New TXST partnership to offer no-cost job training A parts manufacturer for street and track vehi- cles will offer no-cost training to Round Rock-area students following a new partnership between Saleen Performance Parts, Texas State University and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area. What you need to know with Round Rock-based Saleen, a manufacturer of aftermarket and replacement parts for vehi- cles, through Texas State University’s Round Rock campus.
“Our labor market data continues to highlight the community’s need to fill ‘middle skills’ jobs— those requiring more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree.” PAUL FLETCHER,
The free composites program will start in Jan- uary. After completing the program, participants could be offered apprenticeship and employment opportunities with Saleen, a release from the university states.
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS RURAL CAPITAL AREA CEO
The no-cost program will see an initial class of eight to 10 students complete an apprenticeship
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