EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Austin & Dripping Springs ISDs
HIGHLIGHTS AUSTIN ISD Damage from Winter Storm Mara has cost Austin ISD an estimated $845,446, officials said at a Feb. 23 board meeting. The majority of the AISD campuses had tree debris, which caused obstruction to roadways, parking lots and playgrounds. It also knocked out power to 23 campuses and facilities. The board of trustees approved emergency purchases related to the damage at the meeting. The authorization for the emergency purchases will last for six months and can be made using general funds, or disaster relief funds if those become available. DRIPPING SPRINGS AND AUSTIN ISDs Both Dripping Springs and Austin ISD staff will be paid for days missed due to Winter Storm Mara. The DSISD board of trustees adopted the resolution Feb. 27 during a regular board meeting, which will allow staff to be compensated for the days missed due to the districtwide closure that lasted from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3. Austin ISD trustees approved a similar motion Feb. 23. Austin ISD Will meet April 6 and 27 at 6 p.m. 4000 S. I-35, Austin www.austinisd.org Dripping Springs ISD Will meet April 17 at 6:30 p.m. and April 24 at 6 p.m. 510 W. Mercer St., Dripping Springs www.dsisdtx.us MEETINGS WE COVER NUMBER TO KNOW Department of Education to offer a program of support services— Austin Community College Ensuring Student Success—for 1,000 students who stopped their education in 2020 due to the pandemic. $770,000 Austin Community College received more than $770,000 from the
Search firm to use public feedback to find superintendent
THE SEARCH IS ON Austin ISD began the search process for a new superintendent in early 2023, months after Stephanie Elizalde resigned.
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
AUSTIN ISD The search firm hired by Austin ISD to find its next superin- tendent wrapped up a series of town halls in March. GR Recruiting and the district offered the town halls to community members, who discussed what they want to see in a superintendent. At a March 7 town hall, attendees brought up challenges such as teacher support and special education issues. “The problem is that we do not have the support,” said Sandra Flores, a teacher at Webb Middle School. “It’s across the board, really, we just do not have enough teachers, security guards and counselors.” Some of the qualities sought in a new superintendent mentioned by the community included being present, doing whatever it takes to be
Community input due March 15 March 22 March 25 April 20 May 25 GR Recruiting builds profile
July 1
Trustees finalize profile
Candidate applications due
Lone finalist named
New superintendent hired
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
successful, equity, resilience, being a role model and someone who is solution-oriented. Following the town halls, GR Recruiting built a profile for the ideal AISD superintendent and shared it with the board of trustees. The previous superintendent, Stephanie Elizalde, left for Dallas ISD in June 2022. Anthony Mays served as interim superintendent until December, when he left the district.
Matias Segura was named interim superintendent in January; however, the board decided he would not be allowed to apply for the permanent position. “When they advertised for an interim, they wanted someone who would come in and not be considered as a candidate because that could be a deterrent to other potential candidates,” said Gloria Davis, lead associate with GR Recruiting.
Majority of Texas teachers looking for career change, poll shows
education nonprofit Raise Your Hand Texas has spo- ken to through listening circles—697 teachers in 79 school districts—indicate a number of factors have led to the retention short- age. Sufficient staffing at schools was one of the main contributors as teachers want to see more support staff, counselors, nurses, behavior special- ists and special education professionals. Salaries are another factor contributing to the problem, according to RYHT.
TEACHER TURNOVER
A survey by the Charles Butt Foundation polled 1,291 Texas public school teachers in 2022.
BY GRANT CRAWFORD
those teachers said they have taken steps to leave the profession, such as updating their resumes or applying for a job outside of teaching. Combined with data showing more than half of all new teach- ers are leaving after five years, it has left advocacy groups and educators concerned for the future in public education. Teachers whom
TEXAS A statewide survey by the Charles Butt Foundation found 77% of Texas teachers have seri- ously considered leaving their job in the last year. This figure was pre- sented in front of a panel of Leander ISD and Round Rock ISD teachers at the 2023 South by Southwest EDU Conference on March 7. Additionally, 93% of
93% of whom have taken steps 77% of teachers have seriously considered leaving in the last year.
to leave the profession.
SOURCE: THE CHARLES BUTT FOUNDATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION • MARCH 2023
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