Austin ISD Superintendent Paul Cruz gives his State of the District Address at the Austin Ed Fund Inspire the Future luncheon Nov. 5 in front of donors, elected officials and education leaders.[/caption]

Austin ISD’s recent achievements and ongoing struggles were highlighted at the inaugural Austin Ed Fund Inspire the Future luncheon Nov. 5, during which AISD Superintendent Paul Cruz gave his annual State of the District Address.

“Academically, I think we’re in great shape, and the state of this district is strong,” Cruz said. “I am proud of our graduation rates and the way that they have improved over time, I truly am, but I still know we have kids who are dropping out of school.”

Cruz said AISD reached its highest-
ever graduation rate of 86.3 percent during the 2013-14 school year.

During the 2014-15 school year 111 schools met the state performance standard. That included all high schools, including Travis High School and Eastside Memorial High School, two schools that did not meet the standard in 2013-14, Cruz said. Single-gender schools in their first year of operation, Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy and Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy, also met state standards, Cruz said.

Cruz said it costs the community $387,000 for every student who drops out of school. By the time the student reaches age 30 or 40 without a high school diploma, he or she has an economic impact on the community, he added.

Another economic hardship on the district is recapture, or the portion of AISD’s property tax revenue that is diverted to the state of Texas. Cruz said the district is projected to send $273 million to the state’s general fund in 2016.

“If we were to invest [$273 million] into teacher pay … we could give every teacher $45,500 into their base pay,” Cruz said.

The recapture total for AISD over the next three years is estimated to be $1 billion, Cruz said.

Cruz also listed achievement gaps—students not performing at their grade level—as another districtwide issue.

Looking toward the future, Cruz said AISD will continue investing in rigorous academic programing that works, as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related disciplines, such as computer science, coding and health career paths.

“As Austinites, we’re inspired by excellence and innovation,” Cruz said. “We know a little something about challenges and high expectations.”