Education
Health care
BY GRACE DICKENS
BY DACIA GARCIA
New Ronald McDonald House breaks ground at Northwest Austin hospital
AISD shares plan to close 13 schools in 2026 27 Austin ISD has proposed closing 13 campuses in the 2026-27 school year, seven of which have received three consecutive F ratings from the Texas Education Agency. The details On Oct. 3, AISD announced the school closure plans alongside new attendance boundaries impacting nearly all campuses, changes to programming at some campuses and transfer policy updates. The board of trustees are expected to vote on the nal school consolidation plan and atten- dance boundaries at the Nov. 20 meeting. The district is expected to save $25.6 million through the proposed school consolidations—$20 million of which would come through reducing administrative and support sta at merging campuses.
RRISD appoints new trustee to nish term Round Rock ISD trustees selected an appointee in September to serve out the remainder of the term being vacated by Place 6 Trustee Ti anie Harrison. Fabian Cuero, one of ve applicants interviewed by the board Sept. 17, was unani- mously approved as the board’s appointee. Cuero said he has a long history of volun- teering with the district, and most recently served as the co-chair of the Citizens Bond Committee for the 2024 bond alongside Lindsey Ledyard. Harrison tendered her resignation in an Aug. 21 meeting, after serving on the board for nearly ve years. What’s next? Cuero will serve in Place 6 until the original term expires in November 2026.
Where students will go Guerrero Thompson, Woolridge elementaries
The impact
School closing
Barrington Elementary
Dr. Je rey Shilt, president of Austin and Central Texas at Texas Children’s Hospital, said the hospital prioritizes making patients comfortable during their stay so families can be close to their loved ones receiving care. “One of the most important things we do at Texas Children’s is try to bring the care closer to the home—to wherever the patients live. And when we can do that, that’s amazing,” Shilt said.
Becker Elementary
Zilker Elementary
Covington, Paredes, Lively, Mendez middle schools
Bedichek Middle School
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas announced in September the development of a new Ronald McDonald House for patients at Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin. Construction has begun at Austin’s latest Ronald McDonald House, marking the rst phase of A Place Like Home, Ronald McDonald House’s capital campaign in Central Texas, a Sept.15 news release states. It’s expected to open in 2026 with nine private family suites, a communal kitchen, a laundry room and a family support space. The new house in North Austin is the organization’s rst step in addressing bedroom availability limitations, with plans to add up to 51 rooms for families in Austin.
Bryker Woods Elementary
Matthews, Brentwood elementaries
Dawson Elementary Galindo Elementary Maplewood Elementary Campbell Elementary Martin Middle School Kealing, Marshall, Lively middle schools Oak Springs Elementary Blackshear Elementary Palm Elementary Perez Elementary Ridgetop Elementary Reilly Elementary Sunset Valley Elementary Cunningham, Boone elementaries Widén Elementary Rodriguez, Houston elementaries Winn Montessori Pecan Springs, Andrews, Hart elementaries
N. LAKE CREEK PKWY.
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Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin recently announced its collaboration with Ronald McDonald House, with nine rooms set to open in January.
9835 N. Lake Creek Parkway, Austin www.rmhc-ctx.org
DACIA GARCIA COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD 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
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