North Central Austin Edition | January 2023

EDUCATION

OTHER STORIES TO FOLLOW IN 2023

Austin ISD superintendent search moves forward On Jan. 26, Austin ISD trustees will select a search rm to conduct the superintendent hiring process for the district. Trustees began taking steps toward nding a full-time superintendent in December, after new members elected in November were sworn in. They also discussed their desire to have an open search— meaning the candidates’ names would be available to the public. In Texas, districts typically only name a nalist. Once a search rm is chosen, the board will set dates for public engagement regarding the superintendent search. The board plans to hire a new superintendent by the summer. Hiring a new leader Austin ISD will conduct its third superintendent search in ve years. May 2022 Stephanie Elizalde resigns

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

passed, he said the district has “more levers that we can pull to make creating a competitive compensation package a reality.” Segura said the district is already working on increasing wages for all sta, not just teachers. Segura plans to advocate for increased student allotments during the Texas Legislative session. “Texas ranks at the bottom when it comes to per-pupil spending,” he said. “We also know that student allotment impacts every other school district around the state, and they will all benet by an increase. So, fundamentally, that will be [legis- lative] priority [No.] 1 to increase student allotment.” Segura said that work could mean testifying at the Legislature or work- ing with partner organizations. Stability is another point Segura said he knows the district needs improvement on in the coming months and years. He said he plans to do that by being visible.

DISTRICT PRIORITIES

AUSTIN ISD Interim Superinten- dent Matias Segura sat down with Community Impact to discuss his plans going forward before he took over Jan. 3. Segura said his main focus will be on support and stability for everyone in the district. “One of the things that we’ve been talking about for quite some time now is how we need to support our educators and our sta,” Segura said. “We’ve had challenges over the last couple of years, and we know that. We’re not where we want to be regarding teacher stang.” He said sta retention is a major goal of his while he is interim superintendent. “We also know that it is very expensive to live in Austin, so for us as an organization, the priority has to be moving forward with a budget that produces a competitive compensa- tion package,” Segura said. Now that the $2.44 billion bond has

Interim Superintendent Matias Segura shared some of his priorities with Community Impact before assuming the role on Jan. 3. support and stability for families and sta sta retention using bond dollars to free up other funds for raises advocating for increased student allotments during the Texas legislative session

SOURCE: MATIAS SEGURACOMMUNITY IMPACT

“I have relationships with cam- puses, and I intend to be even more visible. I also plan to make sure our central leadership team remains intact. We are all committed to seeing this through, and that’s one big step in the right direction,” he said. “Austin ISD is home, and I’m going to be here for everyone in our district.” Segura will serve as interim superintendent until July 31 or until a permanent superintendent is hired.

as superintendent Board will name search rm Board will name new superintendent

Jan. 26 2023 Summer 2023

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • JANUARY 2023