Austin ISD teachers could teach an additional class period next semester. The district proposed eliminating one planning period and adding another class period for secondary teachers to save money in the upcoming school year. This plan would change teacher’s schedules from a six out of eight timetable to seven out of eight.

AISD trustees heard feedback from parents and teachers on the plan at a board meeting the night of Jan. 27. Three parents and one teacher gave anonymous testimony against the proposed plan via voicemail messages, which were played before the board.

The AISD teacher said that he felt the plan would give teachers less time to prepare and cause them to leave the district. A parent from Austin High School described seeing learning loss in her child attending AISD and asked the school board to look for other budget sources.

Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said community feedback has largely been against the proposed plan. She said the district administration agrees with challenges posed by the plan and is looking at as many options as possible to have a balanced budget.