EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Austin ISD
HIGHLIGHTS AUSTIN ISD The Texas Education Agency released 2021-22 report cards for public school districts Feb. 3. It is not providing overall district rankings, but does include test scores. The scores show 42% of students met grade-level standards overall, compared to 54% in 2019. Only 66% of students took the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills test compared to 99% in 2019 as parents had the option to opt out this year. The district said this change may impact the data. AUSTIN ISD The district lifted capacity limits for fine arts and sporting events Feb. 11. Masks will still be required. QUOTEOFNOTE “KEEP INMIND, THE LAST TIME THESE [THIRDGRADE] STUDENTSWERE INA FULL YEAROF SCHOOL THATWAS NOT INTERRUPTED, THEYWERE KINDERGARTNERS.” SUPERINTENDENT STEPHANIE ELIZALDE AT THE JAN. 27 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN RESPONSE TO DATA SHOWING 89% OF ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED THIRD GRADERS DO NOT MEET GRADE-LEVEL STANDARDS Austin ISD Next meetings: Feb. 24 and March 10 at 5:30 p.m. 4000 S. I-35, Austin www.austinisd.org Meetings are being held virtually and in person. MEETINGSWE COVER
Austin ISD to stop offering sixth grade at twomiddle schools
BY GLORIE MARTINEZ
6TH GRADE ON THEMOVE
Students zoned for Martin or Mendez middle schools will now remain at their elementary campus for sixth grade unless parents opt to move them to a different middle school.
250Austin ISD central office jobs could be cut AUSTIN ISD Families with elemen- tary students zoned to attend Martin and Mendez middle schools in East Austin were notified by the district Feb. 1 that the campuses will no longer offer sixth grade classes. Both schools will continue to offer seventh and eighth grade. Beginning with the fall semester, sixth grade students who would have attended Martin or Mendez middle schools will attend sixth grade at their elementary schools. Students at elementary schools that feed into Martin and Mendez may also choose to attend an alternate middle school identified by the district. AISD will provide transportation to the listed schools. Students who wish to remain in AISD may also attend a Diversity Choice or Magnet school,
Elementary schools with a sixth grade in 2022-23:
Middle school alternatives for Martin students: • Bedicheck • Garcia • Paredes • Sadler Means
Middle school alternatives for Mendez students: • Covington • Garcia • O. Henry • Sadler Means
• Allison • Govalle • Houston • Langford • Ortega
• Perez • Rodriguez • Sanchez
• Widén • Zavala
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
during a larger discussion on expected budget deficits during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. In November 2021, Elizalde announced that she would trim central office staff through attrition—allowing unfilled positions to remain empty as staff leaves naturally. She said she had planned to con- tinue reducing administrative staff that way but now feels immediate cuts are necessary. Elizalde said the district would assist those who lost their job with finding other employment. The district confirmed to Com- munity Impact Newspaper the jobs but transportation is only guaranteed to the district-identified options. The move will have the secondary benefit of boosting enrollment at the 10 low-enrollment elementary schools that will be affected, Chief of Schools Anthony Mays said. Mays cited enrollment and aca- demic challenges as reasons behind
would be eliminated by July. The news comes as the district works to balance its current year budget. The projected deficit reached more than $80 million before accounting for cost-saving measures, such as the cuts at central office, according to AISD Chief Finance Officer Eduardo Ramos. However, said he is confident the district can reach a balanced budget. Elizalde also announced she would not move forward with a plan to replace one planning period with an additional class for many teachers after it was met with disapproval from staff and community members. the decision to remove sixth grade from both schools. Mendez Middle School has repeatedly faced potential closure due to poor state ratings. “We know if we’re able to keep those students at their elementary campuses, that they fare better. We know that performance improves at both of those campuses,” Mays said.
BY DARCY SPRAGUE
AUSTIN ISD The district could reduce 250 central office jobs, Austin ISD Superintendent Stepha- nie Elizalde announced at a Feb. 10 board meeting. “Everyone in this room is going to know someone who is one of the 250,” Elizalde said. Elizalde made the announcement
YOUR WEIGHT-LOSS TEAM IS READY FOR YOU ! Supervised meal replacement plans Personal health & dietitian guidance Bariatric surgery
L EARN MORE ARChealthiness.com
15
CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
Powered by FlippingBook