AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Independent School District is the latest large school district in Texas now set to close schools. The move would affect nearly all of its students. Experts say it’s part of a statewide trend driven by declining enrollment and funding challenges.
Kirk Faulkner is a sixth grader at Austin ISD, and he hopes to pause the newly announced consolidation plan. He graduated from Becker Elementary last year, which under the proposed plan would shut down.
“I have two younger siblings that go to Becker. I’m helping them do this with my parents,” Kirk explains…