North - Northwest Austin Edition | May 2024

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North Northwest Austin Edition VOLUME 18, ISSUE 4 MAY 25JULY 1, 2024

Harmony Public Schools reported 4,471 student transfers for the 202223 school year, with 43.7% coming from Austin ISD.

COURTESY HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Budgets tighten for ISDs as school options grow

“Many of the urban districts in Texas are facing enrollment declines,” Austin ISD Chief Financial Ocer Eduardo Ramos said. “Whether it’s because parents are homeschooling their students or students are going to charter schools.”

School districts receive funding based on atten- dance, making student enrollment an important factor as districts face nancial hurdles from the state and immediate communities. Simultaneously, enrollment data indicates many families feel the districts are not meeting their needs, and are seeking more satisfying options.

BY ELLE BENT, GRACE DICKENS & BROOKE SJOBERG

In the last decade, parents in the Austin area have had more options to educate their children, includ- ing new private and charter schools, and a growing acceptance of homeschooling. The resulting exodus of students from public schools is causing funding challenges for local school districts.

CONTINUED ON 20

Also in this issue

Impacts: Activate Games coming soon to The Domain (Page 6)

Government: Travis County outlines progress, goals (Page 11)

Health care: New heart treatment option available (Page 15)

Business: Austin Strings oers repairs, rentals and more (Page 23)

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Impacts

LYNDHURST ST.

3 Homesense The chain discount store sells furniture, rugs, lighting, art and other home accessories for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. • Opened April 25 • 14028 US 183, Bldg. B, Austin • https://us.homesense.com 4 Eskimo Hut The store offers frozen daiquiris in a variety of flavors to-go, plus jello shots, loaded gummy bears, beer, chips and candy. • Opened May 10 • 13201 RM 620, Ste. 108, Austin • www.eskimohut.com 5 Maestro Stars Academy The academy offers musical theater training for children ages 4-14. Classes are held inside Hope Presbyterian Church. • Opened May 4 • 11512 Olson Drive, Room W3, Austin • www.colorfuluniverse.org 6 Rainbow’s Edge Childcare The center offers part- and full-time educational, holistic, and nature-based programs for preschool- age children and after-school activities for kids 12 and under. • Relocated March 1

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• 12901 Silver Creek Drive, Austin • www.rainbowsedgechildcare.com

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7 Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin The new hospital offers a range of specialized services

for children and women. • Opened in late March

2 O’Reilly Auto Parts The shop sells automotive tools and accessories. It also offers a variety of auto services, such as battery, alternator and check engine light testing; headlight bulb and wiper blade installations; fluid recycling; and more. • Opened in March • 12489 Los Indios Trail, Austin • www.oreillyauto.com

Now open

• 9835 N. Lake Creek Parkway, Austin • www.texaschildrens.org/north-austin

1 Think Lounge Founded by husband and wife Stephen and Jennifer Nilan, the three-in-one business offers on-demand coworking spaces, a cafe and child watch services. • Opened April 30

8 Dolce Vita The New York City-founded size-inclusive shoe brand offers styles such as sandals, heels, sneakers, boots and more. Sizes range from 5-13 in both standard and wide- width fits.

• 13201 N. RM 620, Austin • www.mythinklounge.com

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• Opened in late May • 11624 Rock Rose Ave., Ste. 106, Austin • www.dolcevita.com

In the news

Now open

13 Fogueira Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse The Brazilian steakhouse offering various meat cuts is set to open later this year at The Domain, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. • 3221 Feathergrass Court, Austin • www.fogueiragaucha.com 14 Jamba Juice and Auntie Anne’s The dual-brand location is slated for the Market at Parmer retail center this September, according to a filing with TDLR, and it will offer a menu of pretzels alongside juices, smoothies and more. • 2501 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 700A, Austin • www.auntieannes.com 15 Benold’s Jewelers Owner Maria Aguirre and her team marked the 95th year of operation for the fine jewelry shop which sells a selection of bridal and custom design pieces. • 2900 W. Anderson Lane, Austin • www.benolds.com

Coming soon

9 Boss High-end men’s clothing brand Boss will open its first Austin-area storefront at Domain Northside. The store will offer tailored men’s suits alongside casual, sports

and athletic leisure options. • Opening in mid-to-late 2024 • 3211 Palm Way, Ste. 140, Austin • www.hugoboss.com/us/men

10 Activate Games The indoor entertainment center offers more than 500 high-tech games that blend digital and physical activities. Electronic wristbands are used to track participants’ scores throughout the visit. • Opening end of 2024 • The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Court, Bldg. T, Ste. 127, Austin • www.playactivate.com 11 Omega The shop will offer a variety of watches for men and women, with options such as gold watches, dress watches and watches with built-in stopwatches. • Opening in June • Domain Northside, 11700 Rock Rose Ave., Ste. 140, Austin • www.omegawatches.com

17 Austin Pickle Ranch More than three years in the making, cofounders Tim Klitch and Dan Keelan opened a second Austin Pickle Ranch at the former Golfsmith spot. The 50,000-square-foot Braker-area facility offers 16 regulation-sized indoor courts—twice as many as the original location on West Sixth Street. Austin Pickle Ranch is open to members and nonmembers with reservations. • Opened in late May

• 11000 N. I-35, Bldg. B, Austin • www.austinpickleranch.com

Worth the trip

P Thai’s Khao Man Gai Fewer than three months after closing the Research Boulevard location, P Thai’s Khao Man Gai reopened at its new spot on Airport Boulevard serving Thai-Chinese fusion dishes. • Opened May 1 • 4807 Airport Blvd., Austin • Instagram: pthaiatx

18 Arkane Studios Video game developer Arkane Studios is closing its Austin-based office in July. The branch in Lyon, France will remain operational. • Closing in July • 9420 Research Blvd., Ste. 200, Austin • www.arkane-studios.com 19 Summer Moon Coffee A company representative confirmed that after six years at the center, the owner decided not to renew the lease. Other locations in Steiner Ranch and Cedar Park will remain open. • Closed in April • 8300 N. RM 620, Ste. 300G, Austin • www.summermooncoffee.com

Expansions

12 Office Evolution Austin Arboretum Located in the Westech 260 building, owner Tyler Jensen expanded his coworking facility an additional 2,200 square feet, bringing it to about 10,000 square feet, by adding 11 new offices and a drop-in space. • Expanded in early April • 8911 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. 4200, Bldg. 4, Austin • www.officeevolution.com

Closings

16 Sew Much More After 40 years, owners Ron and Barbara Goldkorn retired and closed the sewing store, which offered an array of sewing supplies. • Closed March 30 • 3010 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. J, Austin

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Government

BY HANNAH NORTON

Federal courts have so far blocked a Texas law that would allow police officers to arrest people they suspect are in the country illegally. State lawmakers passed Senate Bill 4 in November with support from Gov. Greg Abbott and other top Texas Republicans, who have said the law is necessary to curb an “invasion” at the border by migrants and drug cartels. The Biden administration, El Paso County and several immigrant advocacy groups later sued Texas, arguing the controversial law undermines the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration restrictions and harms relations with foreign countries. Divisive Texas immigration law caught in courts

Senate Bill 4 timeline

What happened

2023

Dec. 19: El Paso County, two immigrant rights groups sue Texas over SB 4 Nov. 14: Texas lawmakers pass SB 4

Texas officials are currently prohibited from enforcing SB 4 after a series of whiplash court rulings in March. At a March 20 hearing before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Texas Solicitor General Aaron Lloyd Nielson argued the state has “a right to defend itself” against record illegal border crossings. “SB 4 is a modest but important statute,” Niel- son said. “It’s modest because it mirrors federal law; it’s important because it helps address what even the president has called a border crisis.” The law briefly took effect March 19 under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, but it was blocked a few hours later. The 5th Circuit Court ruled March 26 that SB 4 would not take effect amid an ongoing legal battle. The appeals court heard additional oral argu- ments April 3 but did not issue another ruling before press time.

2024

Jan. 3: U.S. Department of Justice sues Texas over SB 4. The suits were later combined. Feb. 29: U.S. District Judge David Ezra temporarily blocks SB 4 March 1: 5th Circuit Court overturns Ezra’s ruling, allows SB 4 to take effect March 10 March 4-18: U.S. Supreme Court pauses SB 4 as justices deliberate the case March 19: SB 4 effective under Supreme Court; 5th Circuit Court later blocks law March 20: 5th Circuit Court holds last-minute virtual hearing on SB 4 March 26: 5th Circuit Court upholds Ezra’s ruling, keeping SB 4 blocked April 3: 5th Circuit Court hears oral arguments during in-person hearing in New Orleans

SOURCES: 5TH U.S. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS, U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, U.S. SUPREME COURT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Breaking down the law

Senate Bill 4 would give Texas officials unprecedented power to enforce immigration restrictions and deport migrants.

Looking ahead

State and local law enforcement could arrest migrants suspected of crossing the Texas-Mexico border. Those arrested could face six months in jail or a $2,000 fine. Repeat offenders could face felony charges. Judges could deport migrants by ordering them to return to Mexico, regardless of their nationality.

“Nevertheless, under Texas law they would be removed to Mexico. The United States would have no voice in the matter.” Mexican officials have said they will not accept deportations from Texas. Once the 5th Circuit Court issues another ruling, the case may return to the Supreme Court.

If SB 4 takes effect, Texas judges would have “unilateral power” to order undocumented migrants to cross into Mexico without input from federal immigration officials, Chief Judge Priscilla Richman of the 5th Circuit wrote in the March 26 ruling. “A large number of noncitizens who crossed into Texas from Mexico are not citizens or residents of Mexico,” the order reads.

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Government

BY KATY MCAFEE

During his rst State of the County Address, Travis County Judge Andy Brown highlighted the county’s progress in tackling critical issues. Here are four takeaways: Mental health care prioritization Brown emphasized the county’s commitment to building a diversion center that provides mental health care to individuals who commit nonviolent crimes instead of sending them to jail. The county and several partners are kicking o that plan with a pilot program slated to launch this summer. Phase 1 of the program will focus on treating low-acuity patients using Integral Care’s facilities, and Phase 2, planning to launch this fall, will focus on treating patients with more severe mental health challenges. Opioid crisis response Brown’s speech addressed the county’s worsen- ing drug crisis, as a March report from Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services found that from 2020 to 2022, Travis County had twice as many opioid deaths than any other county in Texas. Brown pointed to the $860,000 the county allo- cated in August to provide Narcan kits, methadone treatment and peer support services for the next two years. The funding builds on the overdose prevention steps the county took in 2022, including declaring opioid deaths a public health crisis and distributing hundreds of Narcan kits to bars, vending machines and the pockets of law enforcement ocers. TravCo State of the County takeaways

Travis County Judge Andy Brown gave his debut State of the County address April 24.

COURTESY COLLEEN LIEDTKE

Gun safety Brown announced that the county will launch a hospital-based gun safety program this summer, as gun violence remains the No. 1 cause of nonac- cidental death in Travis County. The program will provide medical care and mentorship to victims of gun violence and prevent retaliation. San Antonio to Austin rail investment Brown concluded the evening with a commit- ment to advocate for a passenger rail connection from Austin to San Antonio, despite previous setbacks in securing funding for the project. Austin and San Antonio were both left out of an $8.2 billion package the Federal Railroad

"Travis County is stronger and more resilient, more equitable and more focused on delivering the promise and the potential of our community than ever before." ANDY BROWN, TRAVIS COUNTY JUDGE Administration announced in December to fund rail projects across the country. Brown and other local leaders have been lobbying to gain federal funding and cooperation from Union Pacic, which owns the tracks that could provide rail service between Austin and San Antonio.

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Government

BY KATY MCAFEE & BEN THOMPSON

Court orders extend public testimony at Austin City Council Austinites now have more time to speak on regular agenda items at City Council meetings under court orders that have expanded public testimony. What happened Under the current council, those wishing to testify on the consent agenda were typically given 2 minutes total. A lawsuit over that 2-minute limit was filed this spring by attorney Bill Bunch, Save Our Springs Alliance executive director. Two local judges have since agreed to require more public input, ordering council to offer three minutes per agenda item. That practice continues to be in effect. The issue will return to court in July. Know the signs Austin-Travis County health authority Desmar Walkes urged the community to recognize the signs of an overdose and be prepared to intervene. Signs include: • Small pupils • Confusion or loss of consciousness • Slow breathing • Cool and pale skin • Low response level to stimulus

Council limits Austin’s role in state gender health care bans Austin City Council members voted to limit the local impacts of a statewide law that has banned gender-affirming health care for minors. What happened Council formally deprioritized Austin’s enforce- ment of any laws targeting transgender or nonbi- nary people seeking medical care, and individuals or health care groups providing such treatment, on May 2. It follows last year’s passage of Senate Bill 14, which prevents children from accessing transi- tion-related treatment in Texas. The city resolution came from council member Chito Vela, who also drafted a 2022 measure to limit Austin’s enforcement of Texas abortion laws. “Generally speaking, I trust Texans to make their own medical decisions,” Vela said.

Curbing enforcement A City Council resolution approved in May keeps city resources from being used on investigations into trans and nonbinary people seeking medical care. It also calls to: Limit civic responses to any laws aimed at health care for trans and nonbinary individuals Enforce hate crime and anti-discrimination laws Withhold information for other jurisdictions’ gender care investigations

Establish a new program for trans or nonbinary people facing penalties for seeking care

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

A closer look Vela said he doesn’t intend for the measure to overstep the city’s authority and land it in court, saying it was the “most defensible and effective step” Austin could take on the issue. “This is not an appropriate area for us to be using public safety dollars,” he said.

Police, medics respond to ‘deadly’ overdose wave A total of 79 overdoses were recorded April 29-30 in Austin due to a “deadly batch” of narcotics being dealt in the community, which officials believe led to nine deaths caused by fentanyl. What happened individuals in their mid-20s to mid-50s and across all ethnicities, genders and socioeconomic statuses, officials said. The April 29 tally of 51 calls marked a 1,000% surge in overdose-related calls for Austin. Austin Police Department Assistant Chief Eric

Fitzgerald credited EMS, fire personnel and civilians who administered Narcan, an overdose reversal drug, with saving dozens of lives.

Overdose calls began around 9 a.m. April 29 in downtown and eventually spread to North, South and East Austin. The overdoses occurred in

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Transportation

BY GRACE DICKENS & BEN THOMPSON

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

St. David’s pioneers heart treatment

Long-term closures coming up for US 183

Attempt to stall I-35 expansion thwarted A regional transportation planning body rejected Austin City Council members’ attempt to stall funding for the Texas Depart- ment of Transportation’s upcoming I-35 expansion project before it breaks ground. The big picture Four city officials sitting on the Trans- portation Policy Board of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization sought to hold off on supporting funding more than $4 billion in I-35 projects. Those opposed to project progression were pushing for an analysis of air quality impacts stemming from the I-35 expansion and the consideration of funding other local mobility projects, Austin officials said. Capital Express Central construction is set to begin this year, according to TxDOT.

Summer closures Long-term closures are focused on frontage roads this summer. Overnight closures last from 9 p.m.-5 a.m.

The bigger picture

Currently, St. David’s Medical Center is the only one of six St. David’s HealthCare locations to offer the treatment. Eventually, Natale said he hopes the PFA system will evolve to be able to treat a wider range of heart arrhythmia conditions.

The Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at Austin’s St. David’s Medical Center was the first hospital in the U.S. to use a new treatment for heart arrhythmia following final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January. Heart arrhythmia is a condition most common among middle aged patients that causes irregular heart beats, increasing the risk for stroke and cardiac failure. Doctors Andrea Natale and Amin Al-Ahmad from the TCAI were among 67 global operators chosen to begin testing the technology in 2021. Following its approval, the treatment can now be used at hospitals across the country. The treatment, called pulsed field ablation, delivers electrical pulses to cardiac tissue to destroy cells causing irregular rhythms, making small scars or ablations, according to

183

Treating arrhythmia Traditional methods use heat or cold to disrupt irregular heart signals, but pulsed field ablation:

Continuous closure: 1 Southbound right two lanes (early summer) and left two lanes (late summer) from Duval Road to Balcones Woods Drive Overnight closure: 2 Loop 360 to Braker Lane (through July 31) 3 Balcones Woods to Braker Lane exit ramp (through Aug. 31) 4 Braker Lane entrance ramp to Balcones Woods (through Sept. 15)

Drivers can anticipate several road closures this summer as work continues on the US 183 North mobility project, according to project officials. The details The right two lanes of the southbound frontage road from Duval Road to Balcones Woods Drive will have continuous closures starting in June, followed by the left two lanes later this summer. For overnight closures, Loop 360 to Braker Lane will have a northbound left lane closure lasting through July, while a southbound right lane closure from Balcones Woods Drive to Braker will go through August. An additional northbound left lane closure is set for the Braker entrance ramp to Balcones Woods through Sept. 15. In early summer, traffic will shift into the newly-paved center median over the course of a few weeks, according to project officials.

Does not use heat or cold energy

BALCONES WOODS DR.

Uses short electrical pulses to destroy cells

Is considered safer than other methods of ablation Typically results in fewer complications post-procedure

This historic milestone represents the biggest advancement in the electrophysiology field in

decades, as it will allow patients to be treated more safely and effectively, ultimately restoring their quality of life. DR. ANDREA NATALE, TCAI

SOURCES: MAYO CLINIC, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, ST. DAVID’S MEDICAL CENTER & TEXAS CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA INSTITUTE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

a news release. Previous systems used excessive heat or cold to destroy the cells, which could damage surrounding tissue, the news release said.

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SOURCE: CENTRAL TEXAS REGIONAL MOBILITY AUTHORITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Education

BY ELLE BENT & BROOKE SJOBERG

AISD to make $30M in cuts for FY 2024-25 Austin ISD’s budget shortfall for fiscal year 2024-25 has increased from what officials predicted in April. The big picture District officials assumed an average daily atten- dance rate of 92% and a property value growth of 10%, but discovered in mid-April the rates are 87% and 5%, respectively. This brings the predicted $60 million shortfall to $89 million. Officials are mak- ing an estimated $30 million in cuts, meaning the school year may start with a $59 million shortfall. More budget cuts are in discussion, including to staff. Already, 41 central office positions—many of which were vacant— have been cut. “Our goal is to keep the lights on and the doors open,” board member Candace Hunter said during a board meeting April 9. “This [shortfall] is not our fault.”

RRISD reduces projected shortfall As Round Rock ISD continues its bud- get-making process for the upcoming fiscal year, district administrators have reduced a projected shortfall right under $30 million to about $20 million by identifying efficiencies in district operations. The district hopes to further reduce this shortfall by the time the board approves a final budget in June, administrators say. What you need to know Chief Financial Officer Dennis Covington and Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez stated some positions may be eliminated, and employees may be reassigned as needed, but administrators are working to ensure no employees are let go as a result of these budget-related adjustments.

Budget cuts

Contract reductions with third-parties: $14M Operational adjustments, such as technology efficiencies: $10.24M Cut in central office positions: $3.66M Overtime control: $2.35M Contract eliminations with third-parties: $434K

Total $30.68M

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s next? District officials will continue to look at different avenues to offset the shortfall such as eliminating outside vendor contracts, adding a registrar at elementary schools to help track daily attendance or asking voters for a property tax increase this November. The AISD board of trustees will approve the FY 2024-25 budget June 20.

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Real estate

Home sales increased for most ZIP codes across the North-Northwest Austin area year over year, according to April Austin Board of Realtors data. Residential market data

Homes sold

April 2023

April 2024

+47.1%

+56.25%

+31.82%

-3.45%

+8%

45 TOLL

78727

78729

78750

78758

78759

78729

620

MOPAC

183

Median home sales price

78727

78750

78759

April

2023

2024

78758

360

$531,794 $502,500 $524,500 $460,000 $675,000

$550,000 $433,000 $600,000 $420,000 $655,000

78727

2222

78729

78750

78758

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 512-454-7636 WWW.ABOR.COM

78759

Average days on market

North-Northwest Austin

April 2023

April 2024

-48.6%

-59.38%

-21.74%

+16.67%

-47.5%

April

2023

2024

162

210

New listings

116

Closed sales

78727

78729

78750

78758

78759

Homes under contract

118

110

Homes sold by price point in April

Months of inventory

2.2

6.3

78727

78729

78750

78758

78759

- -

8 4

- -

8 4

$900,000+

Price per square foot

$700,000-$899,999

$316

$304

10 10

$500,000-$699,999

3 2

$300,000-$499,999

Active listings

217

308

<$299,999

From the cover

Budgets tighten for ISDs as school options grow

The overview

North Austin suburbs: Harmony and Idea public schools, BASIS Texas Charter Schools and Valor North Austin. New educational options are not limited to charter schools. New private schools, such as Acton Academy Northwest Austin, and homeschooling groups have also been formed.

schools and receive federal funding but are subject to fewer state laws, according to the TEA. Round Rock ISD and Pugerville ISD lost 12.3% and 19% of students transferring out to charter schools or other public districts in the 2022-23 school year, TEA data shows. In the last decade, four charter schools opened in

Community Impact analyzed Texas Education Agency, U.S. Census Bureau and withdrawal data from local school districts to nd out where students are going. Overwhelmingly, data indicates families are choosing charter schools. Transfer data from the TEA shows 90% of students that transferred out of AISD for the 2023-24 school year chose a charter school. These are public

District transfers

The amount of students that have transferred out of districts has increased substantially in the past ten years.

Transfers out

Transfers in

Austin ISD

Round Rock ISD

Pflugerville ISD

5,723

5,398

16,222

0 1.5K 3K 4.5K 6K

0 4.5K 9K 13.5K 18K

2,479

564

522

Students transferring from AISD into charter schools and other school districts in 2022-23

Students transferring from RRISD into charter schools and other school districts in 2022-23

Students transferring from PfISD into charter schools and other school districts in 2022-23 Charter schools School districts

Charter schools

School districts

Charter schools

School districts

4,591

728

14,689

1,067

5,028

695

Top schools PfISD students went to in 2022-’23

Top schools AISD students went to in 2022-23

Top schools RRISD students went to in 2022-23

3,347

1,036

Idea Public Schools

Meridian World School

1,850

Idea Public Schools

3,034

771

KIPP Texas Public Schools

Harmony Public Schools

NYOS Charter School 627 Harmony Science Academy 581

1,958

711

Harmony Public Schools

Orenda Charter School

SOURCES: AUSTIN ISD, ROUND ROCK ISD, PFLUGERVILLE ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, U.S. CENSUS BUREAUCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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BY ELLE BENT, GRACE DICKENS & BROOKE SJOBERG

Enrollment decline Enrollment

By the numbers

What it means

Census total school- age population (5-19)

Families consider different educational paths for a variety of reasons. Sarah Gardner, director of community engagement for Meridian World School, said the charter school offers a smaller environ- ment for students to enjoy many of the same opportunities they would have at a traditional public school. Likewise, parents are turning to homeschooling for the convenience of learning from anywhere, said demographer Bob Templeton with Zonda Education. Austin parent Drea Mastromatteo is explor- ing charter schools as she fears the AISD school her neurodivergent son is zoned for wouldn’t provide him with tools to succeed. On the other hand, some parents have multiple children, with each attending a dif- ferent school to meet their individual needs. Michelle Evans, a parent in RRISD, said she has three children, with one attending RRISD, a second attending the Texas School for the Deaf, and a third homeschooling. AISD parent Laurie Solis has two students in the district and another that graduated. Solis says she could consider a charter or private school for her kids, but the commu- nity at AISD and social emotional learning are reasons she stays. “Every one of my children I feel are thriving personally, academically [and] emotionally,” Solis said.

AISD enrollment declined 10% from the 2017-18 to 2022-23 school years. Compared to the number of school-aged children within district boundar- ies, AISD captured about 66% of local students, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The number of students transferring out of the district increased 89% between the 2012-13 and 2022-23 school years. Despite area population increases, RRISD enrollment has declined in the last five years. RRISD served about 79% of the school-aged children within their districts in the 2022-23 school year, while the amount of students transferring out between the 2012-13 and 2022-23 school years more than doubled. The number of students leaving PfISD grew 206% between the 2012-13 and 2022-23 school years, while enrollment has only grown by around 2,000 students in the last decade. PfISD served 65% of the school-aged children within its bound- aries in the 2022-23 school year. For the 2023-24 school year, a drop in enroll- ment impacted traditional Texas school districts while charter schools saw an increase in enroll- ment, said Bob Popinski, senior director of policy for public education advocacy group Raise Your Hand Texas. “Over time, we have seen a drastic increase in enrollment in our charter schools, and a decrease in enrollment especially in urban areas of tradi- tional school districts,” Popinski said.

Austin ISD

90K 120K 150K 60K

110,334

73,384

Round Rock ISD

0 50K 60K 70K 40K

58,742

46,510

20K 30K 40K 10K Pflugerville ISD

39,215

25,445

SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, U.S. CENSUS BUREAU/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Financial impact

Going forward

These are rough estimates of basic allotment funding school districts would have received from the state if all students attended 100% of the time in 2022-23.

budget shortfalls. Having more students attend the campuses they are zoned for could bring additional dollars to districts, but district officials maintain that the stagnation of per-pupil funding since 2019, a student allotment of $6,160 per student, is also putting strain on districts. The basic allotment would need to be closer to $7,100 per student to keep up with inflation, Popinski said. Other financial strains include COVID-19 stimulus funding expiring and increasing school safety requirements. “It is a mixture of so many things and not just enrollment into charter schools increasing,” Popinski said.

Enrollment can impact many decisions made by school leaders, RRISD Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez said. In recent years, RRISD has hired recruiters to bring back students who have left for local charter schools, a move Azaiez said the district does not currently have plans to make again. “I think what we fail to do as a school district is we’re not aggressive like charter schools are when it comes to trying to go out there and recruit parents and bring them to their campuses,” Azaiez said. AISD CFO Ramos said officials hope to slow the enrollment decline by following up with families who have transferred out and tackling projected

Basic allotment funding**

District

Net transfers*

Austin ISD

13,743

$84,656,880

Leander ISD 2,268

$13,970,880

Pflugerville ISD 5,374

$29,777,440

Round Rock ISD 5,201

$32,038,160

*NET TRANSFERS = STUDENTS TRANSFERRING OUT - STUDENTS TRANSFERRING IN **THESE AMOUNTS ARE SOLELY BASED ON THE BASIC ALLOTMENT PER STUDENT IN STATE FUNDING, WHICH HAS REMAINED $6,160 PER STUDENT SINCE 2019.

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

NORTH - NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Events

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

June

Austin Pond Tour At this 29th annual tour, the Austin Pond Society will give attendees the chance to explore a curated list of ponds and gardens throughout Austin. North Austin ponds will be visited on the first day of the tour and South Austin ponds on the second. • June 1-2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • Free (child age 12 and under), $20 (adult through May 31), $25 (adult day of event) • Austin Pond Society, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin • www.austinpondsociety.org Indoor Campout Designed for children ages 6-10, a make-believe campfire will be set up inside the library where kids can gather for storytelling and learn to build their own campsites using a kit created by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. • June 3, 10-11 a.m. • Free (admission) • Austin Public Library’s Little Walnut Creek Branch, Lucas Miller the “Singing Zoologist” music performance Austin-based zoologist Lucas Miller will perform songs, tell child-appropriate jokes and show videos themed around animals like frogs, bats, birds and more. Those wanting to attend are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes early to reserve their free ticket. • June 10, 11 a.m.-noon • Free (admission) • Austin Public Library’s Spicewood Springs Branch, 8637 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin • www.singingzoologist.com Tech Savvy Seniors Library officials will teach attendees how to download books, magazines, and other media using the virtual library. The come-and-go workshop is designed for attendees to bring their own devices such as smartphones and tablets. 835 W. Rundberg Lane, Austin • www.library.austintexas.gov

Saturdazed & Confused The Domain Northside team will host its annual ‘70s-themed summer event featuring do-it-yourself crafts like record-spinning and tie-dye art. Attendees can listen to live music and browse vendor booths throughout the event.

• June 8, 2-5 p.m. • Free (admission) • Domain Northside, 11821 Rock Rose Ave., Austin • www.domainnorthside.com

2024 Copa America at Q2 Stadium Q2 Stadium will host two matches from the 2024 Copa America—the oldest international soccer tournament in the world. On June 30, the Jamaica and Venezuela teams will compete, while July 2 will bring Paraguay and Costa Rica. Officials said both matches could potentially feature an Austin FC player, as Austin midfielder Dani Pereira represents Venezuela and Austin defender Julio Cascante represents Costa Rica. • June 30, 6:30-9 p.m.; July 2, 7:30-10 p.m. • Prices vary • Q2 Stadium, 10414 Mc Kalla Place, Austin • www.copaamerica.com

• North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave., Austin • www.library.austintexas.gov

Central Texas Juneteenth Parade and Festival The parade will begin at East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Comal Street and end at Chestnut Avenue and Rosewood Avenue. Proceeds from the parade will benefit the Greater East Austin Youth Association, a volunteer-driven organization centered on sports for underserved Austin-area youth. The festival at Rosewood Neighborhood Park will offer attendees family-friendly options such as kids’ activities, live music, dancing and vendors. • June 15, 10 a.m.-noon (parade); noon-9 p.m. (festival) • Free (admission) • 2300 Rosewood Ave., Austin • www.juneteenthcentraltexas.com

• June 13, 2-4 p.m. • Free (admission)

NORTH - NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Business

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

From left, Lori Faerber-Lacoletti and Brieann Chapple are the mother-daughter duo behind Austin Strings.

Faerber-Lacoletti began working to become a luthier in 1996 and opened Austin Strings in spring 2001.

Michelle Hedden joined the Austin Strings team in 2020 with a knack for customized varnishing.

PHOTOS COURTESY AUSTIN STRINGS

Since 2001, Lori Faerber-Lacoletti and her daugh- ter Brieann Chapple have curated Austin Strings to provide high-quality, one-of-a-kind service spe- cializing in orchestral stringed instrument repairs, restorations, rentals and lessons for musicians of all ages and skill levels—no strings attached. Then Both masters of their craft, Faerber-Lacoletti and Chapple are classically trained to play, restore and repair a range of bowed stringed instruments, including the violin, viola, cello and bass. Faerber-Lacoletti began working to become a luthier—French for someone who works on stringed instruments—in 1996 and opened Austin Strings in spring 2001. Chapple said the early days were slow, but she and Faerber-Lacoletti used the downtime to rene their skills on a variety of instruments. At age 2, Chapple began her musical career with violin lessons and eventually transitioned to the cello. Now In 2020, Michelle Hedden joined the team with a knack for customized varnishing. Mother-daughter duo’s passion leads to Austin Strings music shop

“They’ve been working on bowed string instruments for almost 15 years here in Austin,” Chapple said. “They studied both repair and violin varnishing, and have a bachelor’s degree in painting, so their touch-ups and color work on instruments are excellent.” Chapple said she enjoys hand-dyeing bow hairs fun colors and always has rainbow-colored hair on hand. “We like to take time with people,” Chapple said. “Not everything is a quick x, and each individual musician is unique.” In addition to repairs and restorations, the luthiers at Austin Strings oer instrument rentals. “Our rental program is geared to each individual; we’ll help you pick out your own instrument, bow and case,” Chapple said. Both in-person and virtual private music lessons are also available at Austin Strings. “Our teachers set their own rates and do their own scheduling, but we can talk with you about who would be the best t,” Chapple said. Austin Strings also has a school orchestral repair program tailored for music educators with busy schedules. “We do all repairs, rehairs and restorations at our shop, and we pick up and deliver the instruments based on their schedule,” Chapple said. In their own words “We genuinely love what we do and are dedi- cated to helping each and every person be success- ful in their musical journey,” Chapple said.

The Austin Strings team has oered their services to the area for nearly 25 years.

The team at Austin Strings oers orchestral stringed instrument repairs, restorations and more.

A N D E R S O N M I

183

BALCONES CLUB DR.

13276 Research Blvd., Ste. 201, Austin www.austinstrings.com

NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

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