District budget and finance
A potential tax increase, $41M deficit and no staff pay raises: What you need to know about Austin ISD's budget
Austin ISD board of trustees approved a $953.99 million operating budget and took on a $41.25 million deficit in June. However, the $41.25 million deficit was based on assumptions that voters would approve a tax rate increase in the November election. This means that the district was operating on a deficit of $78.2 million until voters approved the $0.9505 property tax proposition. The district generated $1.69 billion in revenue from local tax dollars for FY 2024-25. The district lost $821.06 million due to recapture, when the state takes local property tax dollars to redistribute to other districts, resulting in the remaining 953.99 million operating budget and $78.2 million deficit. Revenues were lower than expected, as property value growth and average daily attendance rates were lower than expected, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Unofficial results show Austin ISD voters approve tax rate increase
Austin Proposition A, which would raise the current property tax rate, was approved by voters with about 58% of the vote, according to voting results from Travis County. The proposition, now passed, will raise the current $0.8595 per $100 valuation tax rate to $0.9505 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. The proposition was introduced in August to combat a $119 million budget deficit, AISD officials said. Some community members voiced support of the bill as it included a teacher compensation plan, while others disapproved of the proposition because of the “high expense to taxpayers” with “minimal benefit” to the district because of recapture policies. Recapture is when the state takes a portion of local tax dollars from property-wealth districts. The district will pay $130 million in recapture.
Bond projects and developments
‘A huge milestone’: Austin ISD students celebrate modernization of Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy
The Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy celebrated a full campus modernization with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 21. The project includes a full deconstruction of the current campus to build a modernized facility. The effort, with a budget of $102 million, is funded by the 2022 Bond. Students remained on campus in portables away from construction. The new school is expected to be open in January 2026.
Harris Elementary community celebrates campus modernization groundbreaking
Thomas G. Harris Elementary School celebrated the start of construction for its campus modernization project. The school, built in 1954, will receive facility upgrades, outdoor learning spaces and a new secure entry, among other features. The project has a $56.28 million budget and is funded by the 2022 bond. Students and staff will relocate to the former site of Sims Elementary School as construction continues. The school is expected to open January 2026.
Austin ISD officials mark start of Oak Hill Elementary renovations
Oak Hill Elementary marked its 50th anniversary and the start of renovations to the school in March. The school opened in 1974 with an open-concept floor plan, which means the school was built without doors or full walls between some classrooms, according to a news release. The project includes adding walls to enclose the classrooms, new spaces for small groups and a new front entrance. The construction project is part of the $2.44 billion 2022 Bond and is one of 25 schools that will receive full modernizations or renovations.
Austin ISD officials deem former campus ‘surplus,’ monetization in future
The AISD board of trustees deemed a former school campus as surplus, opening it up for its monetization in the future. The former Rosedale School campus no longer accommodates “future district needs.” The district can monetize the campus through the sale or lease of the 4.62 acre tract of land, according to district documents. The original Rosedale school opened in 1939 but was vacated in 2022 to a newly constructed facility due to outdated infrastructure. Since then, it has been used as a law enforcement training facility. The monetization is one of the district's plans to increase revenue amidst their $92 million budget deficit.
Student learning and safety
Austin ISD rolls out police motorcycle unit to attract more officers
The district opened a new motorcycle unit within AISD’s police department in an effort to comply with House Bill 3, which requires that all Texas schools have at least one armed officer on campus. AISD voted to have one officer at each campus, resulting in the need to hire 89 additional officers and support staff. The 70 motorcycle officers will contribute to the 89 officers needed. The new motorcycle unit will help attract new recruits and help the district be competitive, Superintendent Matias Segura said.
Austin ISD students become total solar eclipse experts
Students at Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy prepared for the total solar eclipse April 8 through a program made in partnership with the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and NASA. Program volunteers demonstrated how to look at the sun through a telescope, how to use eclipse glasses and explained the science of the total solar eclipse. Students also hole-punched different shapes onto cards to see shadows of half-moons on the ground if held outside during the eclipse.
Board meeting policies
Austin ISD increases public comment sign-up time
The AISD board of trustees approved an extension of time the public is allowed to sign up for public comment at board meetings. The new change allows for both in-person and recorded comments at board informational meetings, which previously only allowed recorded comments. The hours to sign up for public comment have also been expanded. The public can sign up to speak in person or record a comment from 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. the day before the meeting, or 7:45 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. the day of the meeting. Teachers spoke in support of the changes, stating that it increases access to speaking at meetings.
