Progress on Austin ISD's facilities master plan—the school district's 20-year plan for the modernization of its facilities—continues with a variety of community engagement events, where members of the public can provide feedback on the recommendations proposed by the Facilities and Bond Planning Advisory Committee, or FABPAC, determining the future use of AISD schools. At a board of trustees meeting Monday, Nicole Conley, the district's chief financial officer, explained that while the community engagement meetings are geographically organized, discussions at any given meeting will not be exclusive to the area's schools. "We are prepared to discuss all options on the table districtwide," she said. "But we wanted to make sure we are regionally distributed so we can touch upon issues and pressure points associated with those structured areas." Trustee Yasmin Wagner thanked the FABPAC for investing long hours in forming its recommendations. "The committee represents every corner of this district, and the time, commitment, passion and energy is unmatched by any community effort I have ever seen before," she said. Wagner also acknowledged that some of the proposals "push the envelope," which is why the committee has stressed the importance of public feedback. "I encourage everybody with a kid in the district, concerned taxpayers, anyone who wants to see our district better in the future, [to] come out and give us your input," she said. Through examining the objective results of assessments grading facilities based on their physical condition and educational suitability, the FABPAC has debated closing certain schools, such as Joslin Elementary and Covington Middle School. Parents from Joslin appeared at Monday night's meeting to voice their opposition to these proposals. "Much like [the state school finance system, known as] Robin Hood and how that feels unfair [to the board], that’s how many Austinites feel about the FABPAC's recommendations," Kate Mason Murphy, Joslin parent, said. "Threatening to close our schools is short-sighted and feels mean-spirited." Trustee Paul Saldaña said no decisions have been finalized. "There have been no recommendations, no action taken for any school closures," he said. Trustee Amber Elenz reiterated the FABPAC and board of trustees' commitment to closing schools as a last resort. "It is not set in stone that any school will close unless it is falling down and we have to rebuild it," she said. "We are trying to avoid [closing schools]." According to AISD, during upcoming community engagement meetings, AISD will present the FABPAC's FMP update and solicit feedback from the public. The meetings are as follows:
  • Jan. 24, 6-8 p.m. at McCallum High School cafeteria, 5600 Sunshine Drive, Austin
    • Vertical Teams: McCallum High School and special campuses
  • Jan. 25, 6-8 p.m. at Crockett High School cafeteria, 5601 Manchaca Road, Austin
    • Vertical Teams: Akins High School and Crockett High School
  • Jan. 26, 6-8 p.m. at Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy cafeteria, 7414 Johnny Morris Road, Austin
    • Vertical Teams: LBJ Early College High School and Reagan Early College High School
  • Jan. 31, 6-8 p.m. at Martin Middle School cafeteria, 1601 Haskell Street, Austin
    • Vertical Teams: Eastside Memorial High School and Travis High School
  • Feb. 1, 6-8 p.m. at Burnet Middle School cafeteria, 8401 Hathaway Drive, Austin
    • Vertical Teams: Anderson High School and Lanier High School
  • Feb. 2, 6-8 p.m. at Gorzycki Middle School Cafeteria, 7412 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin
    • Vertical Teams: Austin High School and Bowie High School
Trustees are scheduled to vote on the FABPAC's recommendations at the board's March 27 meeting. For more information on the facilities master plan process, visit www.austinisd.org/fmp.