Additionally, the district navigated mounting budgetary concerns, the release of new A-F ratings and the construction of an affordable housing development.
Here are some of the top trending AISD news stories in 2025.
1. Future of Austin ISD dual language campuses uncertain amid school consolidation process
AISD officials have discussed relocating wall-to-wall dual language programs at Becker, Ridgetop, Reilly and Sunset Valley elementaries to campuses where a greater number of emergent bilingual students reside. This unofficial proposal comes amid the district’s plan to consolidate schools in the 2026-27 school year, which could include closing and merging campuses, adjusting attendance boundaries, and revising its transfer policy.
Over time, the four campuses have shifted to serving less emergent bilingual students and more non-emergent bilingual, or English-proficient students, AISD Director of Planning Services Raechel French said at a community meeting Sept. 9. In a letter to parents Sept. 17, Becker Elementary Principal Travis Barrett said “the current imbalance between emergent bilingual students and English-proficient students has, at times, underserved even our emergent bilingualism.”
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2. Austin ISD board votes to close 10 schools, intervene at failing campuses
The AISD board of trustees voted to close 10 campuses next school year at a Nov. 20 meeting.
The board’s vote comes nine months after the district began discussing consolidating campuses to address failed state ratings, reduce a $110 budget shortfall and account for an ongoing decline in enrollment.
The board also approved turnaround plans to provide intervention at 17 additional failing campuses, which may involve restaffing the schools with new teachers and principals as well as providing extra support staff and academic resources.
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3. 'Shovel-ready:' Austin ISD nears groundbreaking on affordable apartment community
AISD is one step closer to building affordable housing for its staff and community members in East Austin.
At an Oct. 7 meeting, the AISD Public Facility Corporation, or PFC, approved construction of the first of two income-restricted apartment buildings near East Seventh Street and Airport Boulevard. Developers are expected to break ground on the 341-unit East apartment building in December for a projected completion date of 2028, said Nick Walsh, vice president of development for The NRP Group.
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4. More Austin ISD campuses see failed A-F ratings as TEA releases 2023 scores
Nearly 43% of AISD campuses received a D or F rating from the Texas Education Agency in the 2022-23 school year, failing to meet state accountability standards.
The state agency publicly released its A-F accountability ratings for Texas school districts April 24. The release of the scores was stalled for two years after more than 100 school districts sued the TEA over changes to the A-F rating system.
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5. Austin ISD adopts $1.6B operating budget, makes $44M reductions to lower shortfall
AISD has adopted a $1.58 billion operating budget with a $19.7 million shortfall for fiscal year 2025-26.
The district reduced its initial shortfall projection of $127 million after proposing $44 million in budget reduction strategies, including $9 million in additional state funding following the 2025 legislative session. Additionally, AISD is expecting to receive $45 million in revenue from two land sales, interim Chief Financial Officer Katrina Montgomery said at a June 26 board meeting.
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