The Austin school district has charged dozens of parents, policy experts, journalists and other members of the public thousands of dollars in the past year for access to government records, raising concerns that the cost of obtaining information could keep residents from understanding how the district makes some of its most consequential decisions.
A log of invoices sent by Austin ISD to public information requestors, and obtained by Austin Current under the Texas Public Information Act, shows the district issued more than $172,000 in estimated fees through 80 invoices between June 10, 2025 and June 10, 2026. Only 13 requestors paid any portion of those invoices, totaling about $3,100, with the highest paid fee at $720. Many others faced costs they could not afford or chose not to pursue.
The 80 invoices represent a fraction of more than 1,200 public information requests received by the district during that time period, but experts say even fees allowed under state law can create a barrier when the costs reach so high. Costs associated with fulfilling public information requests are permitted under state law, but public information advocates are calling on lawmakers to revisit this provision during Texas’ upcoming 90th legislative session next spring…