AUSTIN (KXAN) — Facing financial struggles, the Austin Independent School District could take drastic steps and could close some middle and elementary schools across the city to help resolve its budget challenges.
Austin ISD approves budget, still faces deficit
The district said declining enrollment, rising education costs, inadequate state funding and budget shortfalls have spread the district’s resources too thin across too many campuses. The district started the year with a more than $19 million budget deficit in the general fund. The general fund helps cover teacher salaries and daily operational expenses.
On Friday, AISD released its preliminary draft plan to close 11 elementary schools, including a Montessori school, and two middle schools.
The schools listed for closure in the draft plan include: Bedichek and Martin middle schools, as well as Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, Widen and Winn Montessori elementary schools.
In addition to the building closures, International High School will transition from a school co-located at Northeast Early College High School to a program at Navarro Early College High School…