Austin ISD is inviting parents and members of the community to learn about the district's plans and priorities regarding the fiscal year 2023-24 budget.

In February, the district will hold three meetings in English and one in Spanish, and everyone is invited to participate. The first meeting will happen on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 6-7 p.m. at Austin High School, 1715 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin. The second meeting will happen on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 6-7 p.m. at Eastside Early College High School, 900 Thompson St., Austin. The final meeting in English will happen on Wednesday, Feb. 22, virtually, from noon-1 p.m.. A virtual meeting will also happen that same day in Spanish from 6-7 p.m.

During the meetings, district officials will offer what they call "community conversations" for the upcoming budget. Katrina Montgomery, assistant superintendent of financial services at AISD, said there are four points of pride, including receiving a 2022 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas rating of A; a bond rating of AAA; an adopted balanced budget for FY 2022-23; and the passing of the 2022 bond for $2.44 billion.

There are, however, some challenges, Montgomery said. Those challenges include staff compensation; state funding and recapture; staff vacancies, turnover, retention; and student enrollment, she said. The district now wants the community to be involved in the upcoming year's budget by attending the budget presentations and talking to local legislators. In addition, Montgomery said the public is invited to be on the campus advisory council, the parent-teacher association and the long-range planning committee. There are also a number of community groups that will be included in these budget conversations, such as the district advisory council, Education Austin, the equity action committee and more.

Those who cannot make the meetings but would still like to ask questions or participate can click here to go to the district's "let's talk" website.