EMHS partner deadline nears, two presentations set for April 20

In the 2008–09 school year, the TEA allowed AISD to repurpose the academically unacceptable Johnston High School, and it became EMHS. Carstarphen has said the board's approval of a contract with IDEA in 2011 had linked that partnership to the school's reconstitution plan, which was put in place because of multiple years of low ratings from the TEA.

At its Dec. 17 meeting, the board adopted a motion to end the district's contract with IDEA Public Schools at the end of the 2012–13 school year and to prevent IDEA from extending its programs to EMHS. The TEA's commissioner advised AISD that before the 2012-13 school year, it must find an external partner to help the school, or EMHS could be closed.

Since then, AISD has held a number of meetings to discuss plans for the school, gauge community feedback and try to find a solution acceptable to the commissioner.

After brief presentations open to the public, community members will have the opportunity to ask questions, after which the evaluation committee will convene in closed session to continue deliberating. No formal decision will be made at the meeting, Lujan said.

The event takes place at the EMHS campus, 1012 Arthur Stiles Rd., from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on April 20.