Northwest Austin Edition | August 2025

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Northwest Austin Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 7 AUG. 29SEPT. 29, 2025

2025 Education Edition

Closures in store for Austin ISD

BY CHLOE YOUNG

Austin ISD parent Kristin Davis said her fourth grade daughter has thrived in the dual-language Spanish program at Joslin Elementary in Austin. Heading into the 2025-26 school year, however, Davis is fear- ful her school could be at risk of closure as the district begins a process to consolidate campuses. “Since it’s such a small school, they all know each other,” Davis said. “I am concerned that that sort of richness will be lost in the consolidation … or the closure process.” By the fall of 2026, AISD ocials plan to merge some campuses, and revise atten- dance boundaries and its transfer policy. These actions come as the district faces a $19.7 million budget shortfall and a trend of declining enrollment.

CONTINUED ON 20

AISD plans to increase its percentage of seats lled to 85% by eliminating 8,557 or more vacant seats through campus consolidations.

85% seats lled = 8,557 seats removed

Students color during the rst day of school in Austin ISD on Aug. 19. (Chloe Young/Community Impact)

Elementary schools Middle schools High schools Median school capacities Elementary schools Middle schools High schools Number of current campuses

600 students 1,100 students 1,700 students

79 campuses 19 campuses 14 campuses 4 campuses

Also in this issue

Other

Impacts: Check out new brunch option First Watch in Tech Ridge (Page 6)

Development: See plans for the former 3M campus o US 183 (Page 11)

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Impacts

TOLL

5 Evo Cabinet & Closet Owned by Eric Lei, the business features cabinet and countertop remodeling with products and installation services. The company has been in the industry for an estimated eight years but has never operated a showroom until now. • Opened July 1 • 8650 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 117, Austin • www.evo-cc.com

WELLS BRANCH PKWY.

POND SPRINGS RD.

SPICEWOOD SPRINGS RD.

Coming soon

HARRIS RIDGE BLVD.

AMY DONOVAN PLAZA

6 Bluefin Sushi & Ramen The restaurant is opening a new location in the Arboretum and will serve classic, chef speciality and sashimi rolls alongside small cold plates, small hot plates, poke bowls, bento boxes and ramen. • Opening in August • 9828 Great Hills Trail, Ste. 310, Austin • www.bluefinsushiramen.com 7 EJ’s Hot Pot & Sushi The restaurant will serve hot pot broths, meats, seafood and vegetables at The Shops at Arbor Walk, according to its Instagram. Also on the menu are nigiri, sashimi and chef specialty sushi rolls. • Opening in the fall • 10515 N. MoPac, Ste. 150, Austin • Instagram: @ejhotpotsushi 8 Tacolada The restaurant will serve Southern California-style Mexican food, including California burritos, in the Great Hills Market & Station retail center, according to the business’s Instagram account. • Opening in the fall • 9828 Great Hills Trail, Ste. 140, Austin • www.tacolada.com 9 Soup and Leaves The owners behind Soupleaf Hot Pot in North Austin are set to open an all-you-can-eat soup and salad bar with an Asian twist. The menu is slated to include classics like clam chowder and chicken noodle but will expand to add items such as miso mozzarella pizza and yam bisque.

FEATHERGRASS COURT

MOPAC

WALNUT CREEK PARK

6 8

GREAT HILLS TRL.

360

183

SPICEWOOD SPRINGS RD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

3 Snarf’s Sandwiches The shop serves toasted subs, salads, a daily rotating soup menu, sides such as potato salad and macaroni salad, and desserts such as cookies and brownies. • Opened Aug. 11 • 13450 Research Blvd., Ste. 239A, Austin • www.eatsnarfs.com 4 Grounded Performance The gym offers a variety of group training sessions designed to develop mobility and movement, speed and stamina, power and drive, and strength and stability. • Opened in May

Now open

1 Old Alley Hot Pot The restaurant serves meat such as beef, lamb and duck gizzards cooked in housemade broths including beef tallow or a vegan tomato-based broth. • Opened July 9

• 11900 Metric Blvd., Ste. F, Austin • Instagram: @oldalleyhotpotatx

2 Cold Stone Creamery The chain is known for its variety of ice cream flavors and toppings prepared on a frozen granite countertop. • Opened July 11 • 13492 N. US 183, Ste. 400, Austin • www.coldstonecreamery.com

• 12400 Amherst Drive, Ste. 104, Austin • www.groundedperformanceatx.com

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & DACIA GARCIA

• Opening in 2026 • 13450 N. US 183, Ste. 112, Austin • www.soupandleaves.com

Now open

Coming soon

What’s next

10 Game Show Battle Rooms The entertainment venue is slated to open a location at The Domain, per a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing. The venue will offer an interactive entertainment experience in a game show format for parties, networking events, corporate events and more. • 3220 Feathergrass Court, Ste. 128, Austin • www.gameshowbattlerooms.com 11 Raising Cane’s A new Raising Cane’s location is expected to begin construction in Tech Ridge in December, according to a permit filed with the TDLR. The permit states the construction will be finished by September 2026. • 12901 N. I-35 Service Road, Austin • www.raisingcanes.com 12 Crunch Fitness The franchised gym is slated to open a location in the former Big Lots! building, per a TDLR filing. The gym offers fitness classes, including strength, cardio and boxing; personal training; and a HIIT zone, or high intensity interval training. • 8666 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin • www.crunch.com

14 First Watch With a chef-inspired menu and rotating seasonal offerings, the restaurant offers classics such as avocado toast and specialty entrees, including smoked salmon eggs Benedict and lemon ricotta pancakes. • Opened July 28 • 3500 E. Parmer Lane, Ste. 10140, Austin • www.firstwatch.com

16 PopStroke The golf entertainment company announced it will be taking over The Pitch with openings to the public beginning this fall. The newly renovated space will feature a rebranded dining experience, upgraded event spaces, an esports gaming area, a full-service ice cream parlor and recreational amenities such as pickleball courts and sand volleyball courts. • Opening in September • 13000 Harris Ridge Blvd., Austin • www.popstroke.com

orthopedic surgery, advanced pain management techniques and a rehabilitation center for dogs and cats. • Opened Aug. 11 • 13805 N. RM 620, Austin • www.vroc.vet

In the news

15 Austin Diagnostic Clinic North Austin The clinic shared in a message to patients that its parking garage will undergo construction expected through early 2026. OB-GYN patients are encouraged to park at the clinic’s east entrance or use valet parking. • 12221 N. MoPac, Austin • www.adclinic.com

Relocations

13 Ramen del Barrio The Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant inside Hana World Market will relocate to the current Bullseye Bakery location, which closes Aug. 31. The restaurant is known for its Japanese ramen bowls with Mexican ingredients such as carnitas, queso cotija and tomatillo salsa. • Relocating late 2025 • 2007 Kramer Lane, Ste. 105, Austin • www.ramendelbarrio.com

Closings

17 DermResearch The research clinic offered paid clinical studies for dermatological conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema and hair loss. • Closed June 9 • 8140 N. MoPac, Bldg. 3, Ste. 120, Austin

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON

Austin’s budget approved, tax rate election called Austin leaders approved a budget for the upcoming fiscal year with a higher property tax increase that’ll require voter approval in a November election. What happened City Council voted to adopt a $6.3 billion Tax rate decision Austin voters will decide whether to fund a larger budget plan with a 20% tax rate increase this fall. $3K Annual tax bill

Austin to revamp hate crimes response Austin officials called to revamp the city’s response to hate crimes, and the resources available to victims and residents. The big picture Almost 300 hate crimes have been reported in Austin since 2017, more than half of which targeted Black, gay or Jewish people. With incidents and related concerns on the rise, City Council voted July 24 to pause the We All Belong public information and resource campaign, and recalibrate how bias incidents are addressed by local governments. The city will now move to reshape the public campaign and a hate crimes task force over the next year. Short-term reporting on other changes is expected in September.

$2.9K

$2.5K

budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 in a 10-1 vote Aug. 14, with council member Marc Duchen against. City Manager T.C. Broadnax proposed a bal- anced budget in July that closed a projected $30 million-plus shortfall. But most of the council agreed more money is needed going forward, and adopted an expanded spending plan backed by a larger tax hike—triggering the fall tax rate election, or TRE. “It is time for us to trust our voters,” Mayor Kirk Watson said. If passed, Austin’s tax rate will jump from $0.4776 to $0.574017 per $100 in property

$2.6K

$2.4K

$2K

Fiscal Year

2024-25 (current)

2025-26 (TRE approved)

2025-26 (TRE rejected)

NOTE: BASED ON A TAXABLE HOME VALUE OF $500,000 SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

value—a more than 20% increase, or a $420 increase annually for residents with a medi- an-valued home and standard utility use. If a TRE fails, the base FY 2025-26 budget would cost the typical homeowner about $220 more.

Flooding poised to cause county tax rate increase Travis County officials approved a measure July 29 to implement a one-year 9.12% tax rate hike in order to pay for recent severe flooding damages.

The impact About $72 of the $200 increase would go toward recovery efforts.

property taxes without needing voter approval. The approved higher property tax rate for the fiscal year 2025-26 budget year is roughly three cents more per $100 of property value, at $0.375845 per $100 valuation. This tax increase is only a one-time disaster-re- lated increase and will raise around $42 million. The new tax rate will be adopted Sept. 23, with a final budget vote Sept. 30.

FY 2024-25 tax rate

Proposed FY 2025-26 tax rate

$0.344445

$0.375845

The average homeowner can expect to see a roughly $200 increase to their property tax bill. The breakdown Due to state and federal disaster declarations following the flood, the county is allowed to raise

Average taxable home value Annual property taxes

$503,929

$515,213

$1,735.76

$1,936.40

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Far West Blvd. exit closed on southbound MoPac The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, the agency responsible for building and manag- ing toll fares on many of the express lanes in the Austin area, has announced the closure of the Far West Boulevard exit on southbound MoPac beginning July 20 as work progresses on the 183

Light rail construction contracts narrowed Austin Transit Partnership, which is tasked with building Austin’s light rail, announced Aug. 5 three firms have been selected for the final round of evaluation for an estimated $3 billion design and construction contract. In a nutshell ATP outlined a few things they looked for: • Innovative designs that meet technical needs and reflect Austin’s character • Plans for construction in a way that keep the city moving during the build • Up-to-date construction costs early in the design process to stay on budget The finalists are Austin Rail Constructors, FCC Construction Inc. and Kiewit Infrastruc- ture South Co. The firms will now submit proposals to ATP by Oct. 24.

Far West Boulevard exit closure 1

W . A N D E R S O N L N .

EXECUTIVE CENTER DR.

183

MOPAC

North Mobility Project. What you should know

FAR W. BLVD.

SOURCE: CENTRAL TEXAS REGIONAL MOBILITY AUTHORITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

This work is part of the last phase of construc- tion closures in this area as the highway project nears completion in 2026. The exit will remain closed for the remainder of the year. Crews will work as quickly and safely as possible to reopen on time or ahead of schedule, the agency stated in a news release. Construction is dependent on weather, as well as a variety of other logistical factors, the release states.

Detour routes and alternate exits are available, with on-road signage present to help guide drivers. About the project The $612 million project aims to relieve congestion along 183 North—the 9-mile section of road between MoPac and SH 45—by adding two toll lanes in each direction that will con- nect to the existing tolls on MoPac and 183A in Cedar Park.

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Community

BY DACIA GARCIA

Austin FC gains new minority stakeholders

In mid-July, the major league soccer team announced it would be expanding its ownership with ve new Austin-based members. The specics In a media release, the company shared that Jenny Just, Matt Hulsizer, Tench Coxe, Tanuj Gulati and Dave Snyderman will all have non-controlling, minority stakes in the Club. Austin FC founder and CEO Anthony Precourt will continue to have majority ownership control of the Club. Original investment group members including Austin FC co-founder Eduardo Margain, Marius Haas, Bryan Sheeld, Matthew McConaughey,

Austin FC announced ve members would be joining the Club’s ownership group with minority stakes in the Club.

COURTESY AUSTIN FC

David Kahn and Toby Neugebauer will remain owners of the Club alongside Precourt and the newly named owners. What they’re saying The Club was privileged to welcome the new individuals, Precourt said in the news release. “The Club, its supporters and our network of

partners have established an extraordinary culture over the past ve-plus years, and we are very excited to welcome the collective strengths of our distinguished new investors to the Austin FC community,” Precourt said. “Our newly expanded ownership group is committed to the Club’s growth and evolution and we remain focused on serving as a source of pride throughout Central Texas.”

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

The former 3M manufacturing plant in North Austin could see mixed-use developments, following Austin City Council’s approval of a rezoning request for the site July 24. The request added a Planned Development Area overlay to the site’s existing Limited Industrial zoning. LI zoning allows for industrial uses such as manufacturing and warehouse activities, and the added PDA overlay will allow for more mixed-use development—such as residential and retail space—with increased building heights and densities. City officials included in the agenda documents that the area is considered park- deficient, so parkland dedication would be required for any residential units that are built. The future of 3M Some of the allowed uses on the 57.21-acre site could include: Changes ahead for 3M campus

Some background

What they’re saying

The 3M campus closed in 2019, and city officials and developers have been working for several years to rezone the property. Per agenda documents, the applicant originally planned to redevelop the property as a commercial office park with about 1.5 million square feet of office space and 10,000 square feet of retail. The applicant later requested the PDA overlay due to “market changes,” now allowing for the construc- tion of about 1,200 multifamily units and 30,000

In an email to the city dated April 17, Angus Valley resident Carlos Madriz expressed concerns about the rezoning, citing driving and walking safety, as well as the impact of additional lighting and noise on the environment. In an email dated May 30, Angus Valley Area Neighborhood Association President Stacey Peterson expressed support for the rezoning. “After some honest and productive conversations with the developer, we were able to reach an agreement that reflects real give-and-take,” Peterson said. “The signed Memorandum of Understanding outlines compromises that matter to us, such as improved buffer zones, fencing and other site considerations that will help protect the character of the surrounding neighborhood.” The MOU includes language that the developer will provide timely notice to AVANA of any development applications submitted to the city, and that a 15-foot residential buffer will be established along some of the property lines to preserve native trees, shrubbery and grasses. While 3M’s rezoning was approved, City Council further delayed the rezoning of the former Apple Campus site off Riata Vista Circle. District 6 council member Krista Laine requested that the rezoning be postponed during the May and July council meetings. It is now set to go before council again Aug. 28. The 28.85-acre site includes four two-story buildings currently zoned as LI. The request would change the zoning to LI-PDA, similar to the 3M rezoning, and could allow for mixed-use residential and retail space.

square feet of retail and restaurant uses. Austin’s Zoning and Platting Commission

approved the rezoning recommendation June 3. Z&P commission vice chair Betsy Greenberg voted against the item, saying the PDA zoning is like a planned use development, or PUD, zoning “without the community benefits.” “We heard just a piece of this case [four or five] years ago, and the neighbors were all concerned about it,” Greenberg said. “Now they’re just kind of, ‘what can we do,’ which I think is sort of a sad state of the community.”

Multifamily units and condominiums

Former 3M campus rezoning

183

An outdoor entertainment space

A performance venue

A cocktail lounge

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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CommunityImpact-print-9.1837x5.5416.pdf 1 13/8/2025 22:48:43

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Education

BY DACIA GARCIA

Education Edition

2025

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Education Edition! As students head back to school, we’re taking a look at some of the top issues facing districts in the Northwest Austin area. Community Impact sta took a look at the latest round of accountability ratings for Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD and Pugerville ISD to see how this year’s scores compared to last year’s. Reporter Brooke Sjoberg reports that RRISD is facing a trend of decreasing enrollment, the impact of increased home prices over a sustained period. PfISD has a number of ongoing bond projects, including major renovations at Connally High School, Reporter Brittany Anderson reports. Enrollment projections for the district also envision a nearly 2,000-student increase over the next 10 years. For our lead story focused on AISD, several schools are up for consolidation as the district faces declining enrollment and a nearly $20 million budget decit for scal year 2025-26. Reporter Chloe Young dives into how these decisions are being made and what parents need to know. As always, thank you so much for reading, and we hope this edition is useful for readers looking to learn more about the state of education in their communities.

What's inside

Check out enrollment updates in Round Rock ISD (Page 14)

Grace Dickens Editor gdickens@ communityimpact.com

See the latest AF scores for AISD, PfISD and RRISD (Page 16)

Learn more about state changes aecting local schools (Page 18)

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The Greater Austin YMCA is now oering part- time child care options at Tomorrow Academy Four Points to give local parents greater exibility. The new child care option allows parents to enroll children for two or three days a week in addition to the academy’s full-time care option of ve days a week. April Walker, senior director of learning and innovation, said the YMCA launched its child care programs after seeing a need for early education in the area. “We really try to listen to the community to see what their needs are and see how we can best t their needs,” Walker said. “Full-time care wasn’t necessarily what they needed and obviously child YMCA Tomorrow Academy launches part-time care

Monthly rates

care is extremely expensive, and so there was a way for us to help nancially adjust the hours and the days that are oered to help those families.” The specics The academy follows the YMCA’s Constellation of Care model, which focuses on ve key points: safety and hygiene, parent-teacher engagement, health and nutrition, family wellness and the YMCA Playing to Learn Curriculum. “I’m hopeful that this will meet the needs that maybe these other programs might not be oer- ing,” Walker said. Families who enroll in care at the YMCA Tomorrow Academy will receive a complimentary Greater Austin YMCA family membership, which includes access to eight tness centers and bene- ts such as 50% o swim lessons. “When you join here as a family, it’s not just daycare,” Walker said. “You become part of this community where the entire family is supported, from the child’s growth to the parents’ needs, so it really stays with you through a lifetime.”

Infants/toddlers (6 weeks-2 years)

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Part-time care (Mon., Wed., Fri.)

$1,150

$995

Part-time care (Tue., Thu.)

$765

$670

Full-time care

$1,595

$1,395

SOURCE: GREATER AUSTIN YMCACOMMUNITY IMPACT

W I L S O N P

620

WOODBAY PARKE DR.

8300 N. RM 620, Austin www.austinymca.org/childcare/tomorrow-academy

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Education

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

RRISD enrollment linked to housing

Falling home sales Home sales in RRISD have fallen by about 50% in recent years, demographers said.

The conditions

A closer look

Looking ahead

Other factors that could cause a drop in enrollment, Templeton said, include growing participation in charter schools, online education platforms, homeschooling and the upcoming education savings account program, which is set to begin with the 2026-27 school year. Going into the 2025-26 school year, administrators confirmed that the district had reduced positions by attrition, with enrollment projected to be nearly flat. Azaiez said the district budgeted for the upcoming school year along the lines of the middle-tier, and could absorb up to a 500-student decline in enrollment without making additional budget or program changes.

Azaiez said the district is experiencing a slow- down of development overall, due to higher inter- est rates and a reluctance to sell land to developers. The district is also part of many across the state experiencing lower birth rates, he said. At the same time, undeveloped land within RRISD’s borders is dwindling, Templeton said. He estimated that within five years the district will be built out. “They’re kind of landlocked,” Templeton said. “They still have a little bit of land on the east side, but for the most part, their developable land mass is virtually at the end.” Over time, and if the trend of homeowners choosing to remain in their houses persists, this could lead to a decline in enrollment, he said. Tanya Kerr, a Realtor and former RRISD campus assistant principal, said the housing market is correcting itself, with interest rates and prices in better proportion. She said this is due to a larger number of homes

Housing market activity has consequences for the district financially, via the route of enroll- ment, school administrators said. Without enrollment growth or an increase in per-student state funding, Round Rock ISD Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez said the district has less and less purchasing power. Facilities, transportation and programming costs have all grown beyond the $55 per-student increase to the basic allotment approved through House Bill 2. The school funding bill will provide an $8.4 billion boost to public education statewide, but Azaiez said requirements around how the new money is spent is limiting for the district. “That’s why for a long time we’ve been asking the legislators, please increase the basic allot- ment, because that’s really what we use,” Azaiez said. “It’s the foundation of what it costs to educate a child.”

5,937 5,903 5,850 5,954

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2023 2022 2024

Despite a significant number of homes being built within Round Rock ISD, the school district’s future enrollment is uncertain, demographers say. A report capturing data from the last quarter of 2024 shows home sales in RRISD fell by roughly half over the past three years. Using this data alongside housing starts, closings and home prices, Zonda forecasted high, mid and low-enrollment scenarios for the district. These show RRISD potentially decreasing from 46,695 students in the 2024-25 school year to 45,893, growing to 47,781 in the mid- level projection, or rising to 48,690 total students in the 2034-35 school year. The difference, Zonda President Bob Templeton said, is dependent on the local housing market, as well as other factors, such as people choosing to live in their homes for longer.

Enrollment projections Demographers at Zonda Education have created three enrollment scenarios for RRISD. Historical enrollment Low Mid High

6,269

5,777

5,607

55K

5,781

4,199

3,288

50K

2,940

0 1K

45K

Homes sold

available and fewer buyers in the market. Higher interest rates have lowered the purchas- ing power of buyers, while homeowners who got lower interest rates are remaining in their homes, she said.

SOURCES: ROUND ROCK ISD, ZONDA EDUCATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

HYMEADOW 12611 Hymeadow (512) 506-8401

NORTH 620 10601 N FM 620 (512) 506-8316 NORTH LAMAR 914 North Lamar (512) 214-6665

ARBORETUM 10515 N Mopac Expy (512) 342-6893

Education

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

The Texas Education Agency released public school accountability ratings for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years on Aug. 15, wrapping up a legal battle that began nearly two years prior. Across the state, most school districts and campuses maintained or improved their A-F ratings between the 2023-24 to 2024- 25 school years. Of Texas’ 1,208 school districts, 24% received a higher rating, while 64% kept the same rating and 12% received a lower rating, TEA data shows. Texas schools are rated on an A-F scale based on three criteria: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps. Elementary and middle school ratings are largely based on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, which students begin taking in third grade, while high school ratings are based on the STAAR and how well students are prepared for success after graduation. “A,” “B” and “C” ratings are considered passing, while “D” and “F” are failing ratings. Texans can find the updated accountability ratings for K-12 districts and individual campuses at www.txschools.gov. TEA releases A-F scores for local school districts Statewide campus performance, 2023-24 and 2024-25 Campus A-F ratings improved overall between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. A D B F C Not rated

Austin ISD

District score

AISD received an overall “C” rating of 79 out of 100 in 2025, up two points from the previous year. AISD saw a 10% increase in the number of campuses receiving passing A, B, or C ratings from the state in the 2023-24 to 2024-25 school years, according to TEA data. Meanwhile, Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools received their fourth consecutive “F” ratings in 2025, putting the district at risk of facing a state takeover or closing those campuses in 2026. TEA data shows more than 20 new AISD campuses have received multiple failed A-F ratings and may require state intervention going forward. Of 123 campuses in the 2024-25 school year, 23 received an “F,” 18 received a “D” and 8 were unrated. The remaining 74 received between A-C.

2023-24 77/100

2024-25 79/100

Student distribution, 2024-25

This shows the percentage of students who attend schools with each designated grade, per the TEA.

43%

A B D C

10%

22%

19%

District score

Round Rock ISD

2023-24 87/100

2024-25 87/100

Round Rock ISD received a “B” for the 2024-2025 school year, with 87 out of a possible 100 points, in the TEA’s school accountability ratings. The district’s four-year graduation rate dipped slightly, from 97.2% in 2023-24 to 96.6% in 2024- 25, while statewide average rate was 90.7%. In student achievement, 65% of all RRISD students met their grade level or above across all subjects—including reading, math, science and social studies—in the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, exams. The state average was 50% for the 2024-25 school year.

Student distribution, 2024-25

This shows the percentage of students who attend schools with each designated grade, per the TEA.

67% 19%

A B D C

6% 6%

District score

Pflugerville ISD

100%

2023-24 75/100

2024-25 79/100

Pflugerville ISD received a “C” rating in 2024- 25, scoring 79 out of 100 points, which is slightly higher than its rating of 75 from the previous year. Year-over-year, 15 campus ratings improved, four campus ratings declined, and 15 campus ratings remained the same. For the Northwest Austin area, River Oaks Elementary School’s score increased from a “D” in 2023-24 to a “C” in 2024-25. Parmer Lane Elementary School’s score decreased from a “B” in 2023-24 to “C” in 2024-25. Westview Middle School received an “F” both years, while Connally High School’s score increased from “D” to “C.”

80%

60%

Student distribution, 2024-25

40%

This shows the percentage of students who attend schools with each designated grade, per the TEA.

20%

20% 34% 31%

A B D C

2024-25

2023-24*

*MAY NOT EQUAL 100% DUE TO ROUNDING.

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Campus renovations, plans for new schools and additional facilities for programs are underway in Pflugerville ISD. Earlier this year, PfISD’s strategic plan task force developed a list of priorities to help form future district plans. Although some facility projects were scheduled before the plan was finalized, the plan still hit on several key points, such as responsible bond project oversight, Superintendent Quintin Shepherd said in an email to Community Impact . In June, demographer Zonda Education projected in a low-growth, 10-year forecast that PfISD could grow by nearly 2,000 students by 2034-35. PfISD facility updates ongoing

Dollars at work

What else?

The first phase of Connally High School improvements are slated to be complete next summer, while the CTE facility is expected to open in 2027. PfISD officials are also planning for a future elementary site which could be built on the donated land near the CTE facility. Locating new property for a 2022 bond-funded affordable teacher housing project is also underway, Valdez said. The housing could be located in either the northern or central part of the district and include apartments, townhomes or duplexes. “One site is eight acres and another site is 20 acres, so it kind of gives us options to play with designs for the [housing] facility itself,” Valdez said.

Many of PfISD’s ongoing facility projects are funded through the 2022 bond. On the list is Weiss High School’s weight room expansion, which is slated to be completed this fall, Chief Operations Officer Victor Valdez said. Also utilizing 2022 bond funds is a three-phase modernization of Connally High School. Phase 1 is underway and will include restrooms, fine arts and athletic improvements, with future phases to expand the cafeteria and library, modernize lab spaces, and more. About 20 acres of donated land within the dis- trict will house a bond-funded CTE building with programs for veterinary technicians, firefighters, welding, health sciences and more, Valdez said. Additionally, the Learning and Technology Center will house the curriculum and instruction, special education, and technology departments.

10-year enrollment trend in Pflugerville ISD

Looking ahead

Expanding space PfISD’s facility projects are bringing more square footage to staff and students, including:

Despite the rise of local private and charter school options, PfISD's enrollment is anticipated to grow over the next decade.

September-October 2025: Break ground on CTE facility October 2025:

Low-growth projected enrollment Mid-growth projected enrollment

50,000-square-foot WHS weight room 110,000-square-foot CTE facility

WHS weight room opens January-February 2026: Learning and Technology Center opens March 2026: Break ground on teacher housing project June-August 2026: First phase of CHS modernization completed August 2027: CTE facility opens

Projected enrollment

55,000-square-foot Learning and Technology Center 5,000 square foot professional development area

20K 22K 24K 26K 28K 30K 0

Future CTE center

WELLS BRANCH PKWY.

NOTE: THESE DATES ARE TENTATIVE. SOURCE: PFLUGERVILLE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

PfISD CTE center

School year

HARRIS BRANCH PKWY.

SOURCES: PFLUGERVILLE ISD, ZONDA EDUCATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: PFLUGERVILLE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Education

BY HANNAH NORTON

Teachers now have more disciplinary authority House Bill 6 gives public school teachers more discretion to remove students from the classroom if they are repeatedly disruptive or threaten the safety of others. The change comes after nearly half of Texas public school teachers cited disci- pline issues as a top workplace challenge in 2022, according to the Texas Education Agency. What you need to know The law, which took eect immediately when Gov. Greg Abbott signed it on June 20, allows schools to suspend students of any age who engage in “repeated or signicant” disruptions, reversing a 2017 state law that generally prohib- ited schools from suspending students in pre-K through second grade. If students in kindergarten through third grade are sent home for behavioral

Districts to level-set high school GPAs Texas school districts will soon be required to use a standard system to calculate high school students’ grade point averages. At a glance Senate Bill 1191, which became law June 20, directs the Texas Education Agency to create a new GPA standard “as soon as practicable.” The system must give equal weight to advanced placement, international baccalaureate and dual enrollment courses. “It most likely won’t impact kids that are currently enrolled in high school, … because it’s going to take a while to make sure every- one is on the same page,” said Bob Popinski, who leads the policy team for public school advocacy group Raise Your Hand Texas.

“A lot of the problems we see with our kids in high school is because they did not have consequences, none whatsoever, when

they were younger.” BILL AUTHOR REP. JEFF LEACH, RPLANO

issues, schools must provide documentation explaining their decision. HB 6 gives schools the option to place students in an in-school suspension for as long as they see t. State law previously mandated that students could not be suspended for more than three school days, whether they were inside a school building or at home. The three-day time limit on out-of- school suspensions remains unchanged.

New law bans cellphone usage in all K12 schools When Texas public school students return to campus this fall, they will be prohibited from using cellphones, smart watches and other personal communication devices throughout the

School districts could:

the cellphone ban. “We want our kids to focus on academics, such as math, science and reading, and the reality is, these phones are a distraction. ... Schools cite growing incidents of cyberbullying due to these phones,” bill author Rep. Caroline Fairly, RAmarillo, said in March. HB 1481 includes exceptions for students with medical needs or special education accommoda- tions, and does not apply to devices supplied by school districts for academic purposes.

• Purchase pouches to store devices during the school day • Ask students to keep devices in their lockers or backpacks

school day. The details

Texas’ 2026-27 budget includes $20M in grants to help districts implement the law.

Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1481 into law on June 20, giving school districts 90 days to adopt new electronic device policies, including disciplinary measures for students who violate

SOURCES: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY COMMUNITY IMPACT

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Closures in store for Austin ISD From the cover

AISD school consolidation data rubric

Two-minute impact

The approach

AISD ranked campuses in order of how optimal they were for consolidation alongside a support and resource index to measure the level of student need. The index lowered a campus’s score by accounting for demographic groups, such as special education, low income or English learner students. “Some of these data points [are] unfairly … reflecting a reality of historic inequity and the current inequity in our district, and so we need to counteract for that,” AISD Director of Planning Services Raechel French said at a July 15 school consolidation workshop. In 2025, 41 AISD campuses received failing D or F ratings from the state, 26 of which may require turnaround plans on how to improve student performance and avoid TEA intervention. A-F ratings will be factored into the consolidation process; however, all campuses may be considered for closure despite their rating, district officials said. The district is now conducting a contextual analysis of the data rubric results by receiving feedback from the board of trustees, campus principals and community members, French said. At an Aug. 7 school consolidation workshop, board members discussed how to balance enrollment, align feeder patterns, provide baseline offerings

Austin ISD assessed schools for potential consolidation based on the following factors, along with a support and resource index to account for different student groups.

The district is projected to face a $19.7 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2025-26 after making $44 million in budget reductions. AISD is looking to close campuses to avoid having to further cut staff positions, eliminate programs and increase class sizes, school board President Lynn Boswell told Community Impact . The district is aiming to reduce its student capacity by thousands of vacant seats as AISD’s enrollment has declined by more than 12,000 students over the last 10 years, according to the Texas Education Agency. In August, the district ranked all 116 of its campuses for potential consolidation using a data rubric that assessed campus utilization, facility condition, educational suitability and cost per student. AISD officials have said the district’s current resources are spread too thin and that consolidating campuses will allow the district to have fewer, better-resourced schools. Some teachers and parents said they are concerned about the impact on employees and families, and the socioeconomic inequities between campuses. “This isn’t anything anyone is excited to choose,” Boswell said. “It’s something we’re being pushed to choose. I think our obligation is to do it as thoughtfully, as collaboratively, as strategically as we can, but it’s a disruptive, painful process.” Rubric results Schools were ranked from 1-5 based on the need for potential changes. Higher scores mean the most concerns. This is not a list of closures.

Category Description Weight

How full or empty is the building?

Utilization rate

35%

Utilities, contracted services and rentals

Cost per student (building & operations)

25%

Quality of the physical building

Facility condition

20%

Cost per student (staffing & academics)

Staff, benefits and supplies

15%

Educational suitability

Size and types of learning spaces

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

for every campus, offer specialized programs and explore different school models. “If we’re going to have high quality education and we have limited resources, the only way to get there is by having fewer schools,” Superintendent Matias Segura said in an interview with Commu- nity Impact . “We can’t be razor thin everywhere.”

Projected enrollment decline in AISD Austin ISD is expected to lose nearly 7,600 students over the next 10 years. Historical enrollment Projected enrollment

How we got here

Despite state lawmakers passing an $8.4 billion school funding increase in 2025, Boswell said state funding isn’t keeping up with rising costs. For FY 2025-26, the district lowered a projected $127 million shortfall by selling two former cam- puses for $45 million and making $44 million in reductions alongside $17.8 million in savings from vacancies and schedule changes. This included cutting $7 million in contracted special education services and receiving $9 million in new state funding under House Bill 2. The district saved $10 million by restructuring its central office positions, which included 40 employees losing their jobs, Segura said. “We’re doing this because we have done almost everything else we can think of, except things that feel even worse than closing schools,” Boswell said. With an enrollment of about 72,000 students— down nearly 15% from 2014—AISD has over 22,000 empty seats. By 2034, AISD’s enrollment is projected to drop by nearly 11% percent to about 64,500 students, according to a new demographic

Campus

Total score

70K 72.5K 67.5K 75K

Ridgetop ES

4.15

Blackshear ES

4.05

Maplewood ES

3.75

Covington MS

3.74

McCallum HS

3.7

SOURCE: MGT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Joslin ES

3.56

report by MGT. The district is seeing families move to the sub- urbs as the cost of living rises in Austin, Boswell said. Meanwhile, more families are enrolling their children in charter schools, she said. Over 16,000 students residing in the district attended a charter school or another public school district in the 2024-25 school year, according to the TEA.

Gullett ES

3.55

Bryker Woods ES

3.55

Barton Hills ES

3.45

Mendez MS

3.44

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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