The Austin ISD board of trustees approved a step-by-step contingency plan April 22 in preparation for the possibility of a Texas Education Agency–ordered closure of Eastside Memorial High School.

"This contingency plan, is a plan just like the name implies. ... It's a contingency for us," board President Vincent Torres said. "Should the school be closed, we then have this plan to fall back on, and we wouldn't be trying to scramble at that point in time to put together a plan and then perhaps miss some very critical or important items or not have thought things through in putting together a hastily prepared plan."

The contingency plan outlines the order in which the district would reassign students to other campuses, relocate classroom equipment and reassign teachers to other schools as well as addresses how students' class rankings would change and considers creating a new campus within a campus for rising 12th grade EMHS students among many other considerations.

In the 2008–09 school year, the TEA allowed AISD to repurpose the academically unacceptable Johnston High School, and it became EMHS. At a media briefing, Torres explained that because of this, the district already has a policy and plan in place for staff reassignments. He said the board's approval of a contract with IDEA Public Schools in 2011 had linked the IDEA partnership to the EMHS reconstitution plan, which was put in place because of multiple years of low ratings from the TEA. At its Dec. 17 meeting, the board adopted a motion to end the district's contract with IDEA Public Schools at the end of the 2012–13 school year and to prevent IDEA from extending its programs to EMHS.

The TEA's commissioner advised AISD that before the 2012-13 school year ends, it must find an external partner to help the school or EMHS could be closed. Responding to the commissioner's verbal request, the district and board developed the contingency plan.

During citizens communication, attendee Amanda Austin said she wanted the board to revise the motion to approve the contingency plan, which indicated that the plan could be implemented if students fail to meet state testing standards for the 2012-13 school year.

"I think we need to listen to the students; they keep saying what [they] want is stability," she said. "They don't need this on test days, looming over their thoughts, that if their school would be closed that it would be their fault, when historically their school has been underfunded, neglected and underresourced."

The board did make two conditional amendments to its motion at its April 22 board meeting.

Trustee Gina Hinojosa proposed adding the condition that AISD receive a one-year period to allow time to implement the contingency plan if the TEA commissioner orders the school's closure. Trustee Amber Elenz proposed adding language indicating the plan would be implemented only if the commissioner orders closure despite alternate options presented by the district's board and administration. Both changes were added and approved in the final vote.

Trustee Jayme Mathias asked whether the board could delay a vote on a contingency plan until it receives clarification in writing from the commissioner on whether he needs it.

"I just hate to talk about a closure plan for that school if it's premature," he said.

Other trustees, including Robert Schneider, noted that although the board does not want to see EMHS close, it also must respect the commissioner and be prepared in the event that he does order the school to be closed. Trustee Ann Teich said she thought the updated language addressed those concerns.

"Rather than continually dwelling on the worst possible case scenario, we need to make sure that the commissioner understands that we have been doing our very best to make sure that this school stays open," Teich said.

Earlier this year, the AISD board put out a request for proposals to find a partner, and two finalists were chosen. Some meeting attendees said they were impressed by both the Washington, D.C.–based American Institutes for Research and Johns Hopkins University's School of Education, located in Baltimore. One attendee said he was surprised the district only received five proposals and disappointed that none were local. A partner must be chosen before the end of the school year.

EMHS teacher Malin Lindelow asked the board to pass a motion expressing support for EMHS staff and students.

"I understand the need for a contingency plan to protect students, staff and teachers in the event of a closure, but it is bad publicity for our school and undermines all of our outstanding achievements," she said.

The board passed such a motion, concluding with: "We are committed to [staff and students'] continued success and the continued advancement of academic excellence on the EMHS-Johnston campus."