Northwest Austin Edition | January 2023

EDUCATION

OTHER STORIES TO FOLLOW IN 2023

Round Rock ISD looking to expand open enrollment Maritza Gallaga, associate director of communications and community relations, said Round Rock ISD is examining an expansion of the district’s open enrollment program to more campuses. RRISD ocials have said higher enrollment can help boost state funding to school districts. Austin ISD superintendent search moves forward On Jan. 26, after press time, Austin ISD trustees selected a search rm to conduct the superintendent hiring process for the district. Trustees began taking steps toward nding a full-time superintendent in December. The board plans to hire a new superintendent by the summer. Pugerville ISD moving forward with 2022 bond items Preliminary work is set to begin on some of the $366 million in bond propositions Pugerville ISD voters approved in November. Work will begin in early 2023 and nish by the end of the year on ber-optic cable replacements; new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; and districtwide computer replacements.

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.

their new terms. Of the ve sworn in at a Dec. 15 meeting, two are new to the board with places 3, 5 and 6 Trustees Amber Landrum, formerly Feller, Amy Weir and Tianie Harrison returning. New trustees in places 1 and 4 are Estevan Jesus “Chuy” Zárate and Alicia Markum. They replace Kevin R. Johnson and Cory Vessa, respectively. Johnson was not in attendance. All trustees except Zárate will have terms expiring in 2026 as he is fullling the end of the term vacated by former Trustee Jun Xiao. Place 1 will go back to the voters in 2024 along with places 2 and 7.

DISTRICT PRIORITIES 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

AUSTIN ISD Interim Superinten- dent Matias Segura sat down with Community Impact to discuss his plans going forward after 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

Without getting more specic, each candidate has so far discussed objectives from nding new and better ways to work with colleagues, teachers, par- ents and students to focusing more on accountability from the board of trustees. Additionally, each candidate has referenced recent disunity among the board when discussing goals for

SOURCE: PFLUGERVILLE ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

District weighs options on potential school closures

ON THE BOARD’S TERMS

Round Rock ISD’s election cycle alternately sends four and three of its school board seats to the voters every two years. The 2022 board election was dierent as a special election was called to ll the seat vacated by Place 1 Trustee Jun Xiao.

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.

BY CARSON GANONG

Ending in 2024:

Expiring in 2026:

PFLUGERVILLE ISD Ocials continue to weigh potential school closures and attendance boundary adjustments for the 2023-24 school year amid ongoing scal struggles. The board narrowed down 10 possible plans to four from the citizens facilities committee that oer a variety of closure options. The options will continue to be adjusted as discussion from the board and community continues, according to the district.

Place 1 Estevan Jesus “Chuy” Zárate

Place 2 Mary Bone

Place 7 Danielle Weston

Place 3 Amber Landrum

Place 4 Alicia Markum

Place 5 Amy Weir

Place 6 Ti anie Harrison

SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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