EDUCATION BRIEFS
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
News from Austin & Dripping Springs ISDs
COMPILED BY TAYLOR CRIPE & BEN THOMPSON
HIGHLIGHTS AUSTIN ISD Damage from Winter Storm Mara has cost Austin ISD an estimated $845,446, o cials 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 money can come from general funds or disaster relief funds if those become available. Austin ISD will meet April 6 and 27 at 6 p.m. MEETINGS WE COVER NUMBER TO KNOW $770,000 Austin Community College received over $770,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to oer a support program—Austin Community College Ensuring Student Success—for 1,000 students who stopped their education in 2020 due to the pandemic.
City to add shared-use paths by Zilker Park The city of Austin is working to improve access to Zilker Metropolitan Park and Zilker Botanical Garden. The multistage project began in January on a 0.7-mile portion of Barton Springs Road between the garden will add a new shared-use path between Stratford Drive’s intersec- tion at Barton Springs Road and the Austin Nature & Science Center entrance. Finally, Phase 3 of the Zilker initiative will connect the Barton Springs
Search rm to use public feedback to nd superintendent AUSTIN ISD The search rm hired by Austin ISD to nd its next super- intendent wrapped up a series of BY AMANDA CUTSHALL THE SEARCH IS ON Austin ISD began the search process for a new superintendent in ewarly 2023, months after the Stephanie Elizalde resigned.
ZILKER TRANSPORTATION The city is adding shared-use paths near Zilker Metropolitan Park to make it safer for those walking or riding to the park.
ONGOING PROJECTS
BEE CAVES RD.
MOPAC
Upgraded bus stops Pedestrian crossing signal
Phase 2 will add a shared-use path to Stratford Drive.
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Community input due March 15 March 22 March 25 April 20 May 25 GR Recruiting builds pro le
July 1
community town halls in March. GR Recruiting and the district o ered the town halls to community members who discussed what they want to see in a new 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,” Webb Middle School teacher Sandra Flores said. “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 during the town hall meetings included being present, doing whatever it takes to be success- ful, equity, resilience, being a role model and someone who is solution oriented. Following the town halls, GR
BARTON SKYWAY
Trustees nalize pro le
Candidate applications due
Lone nalist named
New superintendent hired
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MOPAC
MAP project broke ground Feb. 3. Intend- ed to alleviate congestion on local roadways, the project will widen the pavement on the auxiliary lane and merge the entrance ramps for Bee Caves Road and Barton Skyway on southbound MoPac. Weekslong ramp closures are expected on southbound MoPac during construction along with main lane closures during o -peak travel hours from 8 p.m.-5 a.m. Timeline: February 2023-24 Cost: $10 million Barton Skyway ramp widening The Barton Skyway Ramp Relief
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN
Recruiting will put together a pro le of what the community wants to see in the next superintendent and share it with the board of trustees March 25, after press time. AISD’s previous superintendent, Stephanie Elizalde, left the district for Dallas ISD in June. After her resig- nation, the district named as interim superintendent Anthony Mays, who left AISD for a Houston-area school district in December. 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 candi- dates,” Gloria Davis, lead associate with GR Recruiting, said. Davis said potential candidates usually will not apply for the position if they know the interim is also a can- didate because the interim is looked upon as a “shoe-in.” Around the end of May, trustees will select ve to seven semi nalists who will be interviewed in person, Davis said. The district is seeking to hire a candidate by July 1.
MoPac and the botanical garden entrance. Phase 1 will add new shared-use pathways to that stretch of roadway with landscaped bu ers between vehicles and pedestrians and cyclists. The work will also upgrade Capital Metro bus stations, and add a new crosswalk and a pedestrian crossing signal outside the botanical garden. The second phase across
and Stratford pathways. Funding for the project comes from Austin’s 2016 and 2020 mobility bonds, the botanical garden, CapMetro, and Austin City Council District 8’s inter- local Quarter Cent funding program. Overall costs are not yet known, but the city estimates Phase 1 will run around $650,000. “The shared-use path will greatly improve safety and access to the area,
Phase 1 • install new shared- use pathways with landscaped bu ers • upgrade CapMetro bus stations • install new tra c signals
Phase 3 will join the two paths.
Funding source: Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority
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SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT
bus,” said Cynthia Klem- mer, with the Austin Parks and Recreation Depart- ment, in a statement.
especially since many people who visit Zilker Botanical Garden arrive on foot, by bicycle or via the
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MARCH 10. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT CTANEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
4000 S. I-35, Austin www.austinisd.org
HIGHLAND 5775 Airport Blvd (512) 366-8300 ARBORETUM 10515 North Mopac Expressway (512) 342-6893
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