Austin ISD seeks to fix funding issues caused by recapture in 2017
The 2016-17 Austin ISD board of trustees, from left: Edmund T. Gordon, District 1, Ann Teich, District 3; Amber Elenz, District 5; Julie Cowan, District 4; Kendall Pace, At large 9; Paul Saldau00f1a, District 6; Cindy Anderson, At large 8; Yasmin Wagner, District 7; Jayme Mathias, District 2
A look back at 2016
- Graduation rates rise
AISD hit its highest graduation rate of 89.7 percent, up by 3.4 percent from the prior year and by more than 15 percent since 2008.
- SAT, ACT scores up
AISD’s average SAT composite score once again exceeded state and national averages—a trend since 2013. Students also earned higher overall scores on the ACT exam in 2015-16 compared with their counterparts throughout the state and nation. The average ACT composite score of 22.5 was an all-time high for the district.
Top issues for 2017
- Move to modernize
The district will update its facilities master plan to modernize all schools and facilities in the next 15-20 years.
- Broadening learning options
AISD plans to further incorporate social-emotional learning and improve education choices, including dual-language programs or early college high schools.
- Fix funding problems
The district is the single-largest payer of recapture in the state.
A question for Austin ISD
Q: How does the state recapture law affect Austin ISD?
A: More than 35 cents of each AISD maintenance and operation tax dollar is kept by the state because AISD is considered property-wealthy under the state’s recapture law.
