[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6582995,"mediaKeyId","3124470-62f099238e30057c5fdf36e3ad9763a0","parentId",3124470,"title","Austin ISD projects $129M preliminary general-fund deficit for FY26; district presses for cuts and new revenue","audioSeconds",1416,"startMs",8587000,"endMs",10003000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124470-62f099238e30057c5fdf36e3ad9763a0&start=8587&end=10003","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124470-62f099238e30057c5fdf36e3ad9763a0/thumbnail_8587000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582995/Texas/Austin-ISD-projects-129M-preliminary-general-fund-deficit-for-FY26-district-presses-for-cuts-and-new-revenue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582995-a204459516bee28c58faf0c2a379b7fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448338&Signature=C61PzEzKbGWQYNX4nz6Qyxo6fuEgdnt2NgybSjD-F8CsxEJOiqNs5B~iIZ1MCoDJuM8L5B8lAJBaFnE-Wwx-hV4EvAY4Y8iYt4R7dlwIrZI53g4VLQXUuLYUAJlvtzTKN1W5gUFJmtnsE3gwXdSAauRKdDwYVDhsjWh8574msJTqKuIChzjZ1~dply-0nx023egCjqxUeU3GLT0FVAwFvcfTHS8qccHczLQCefMgh2r1ANxz7XSIduAw~rlZhQ3LPQgVkIGgMuJjiAHWl5zXFzMc8uL9HE97vAgmWiON-bYqtoVilVmjsNzDtxSbZ6YY1~nkJHV9wObmPzwqHH~kPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-25T16:41:00.773Z","article","Austin ISD’s interim chief financial officer, Katrina Montgomery, presented the board April 24 with a preliminary FY2025–26 financial plan showing a large operating gap and the actions the district is pursuing to stabilize its fund balance.

Topline numbers: Montgomery said the district’s preliminary FY26 general-fund expenditure budget would be about $999 million with projected local, state and federal revenue totaling roughly $1.58 billion and a projected net change in fund balance of a $144 million deficit before vacancy savings. Montgomery said the budget team is estimating roughly $15 million in vacancy savings, bringing an adjusted projected shortfall of about $129 million, and described additional identified strategies totaling about $19 million and possible land-sale proceeds of roughly $45 million as partial mitigations.

Why it matters: Montgomery and trustees repeatedly framed the projection as an urgent challenge that requires a combination of expenditure reductions, possible asset sales, and advocacy for state funding. Montgomery noted that some recent, one‑time revenue and lower-than-expected reimbursements (for example, an adjustment to certain SHARS reimbursements in the current year) and property-value changes reduced the district’s reserves in the most recent cycle.

Board Q&A and process notes:
- Trustees asked about the sensitivity of the forecast to Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) preliminary property values; Montgomery showed the preliminary TCAD number and explained certified values typically arrive in July and can change the outlook.
- The administration said it would present a proposed budget to the board May 22 and an adopted budget in June, with the board adopting a final budget in late June; certified TCAD values will be available after that timeline and could require an amended budget in July.
- Montgomery reiterated the district’s policy goal to maintain a 20% unassigned fund balance as a multi-month operating cushion and showed scenarios in which the fund balance would fall below that level in coming years unless corrective steps are taken.

Ending: Trustees asked for more detail on particular line items and the debt-service drawdown Montgomery flagged; staff said they would prepare supplemental detail and return with a balanced budget proposal and additional community engagement before adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Regular Voting Meeting: April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Austin ISD’s interim chief financial officer, Katrina Montgomery, presented the board April 24 with a preliminary FY2025–26 financial plan showing a large operating gap and the actions the district is pursuing to stabilize its fund balance.","taxTitle","AUSTIN ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",12954,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6583007,"Austin ISD given C under new state accountability; number of F-rated schools rises",746,260000,1006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124470-62f099238e30057c5fdf36e3ad9763a0&start=260&end=1006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124470-62f099238e30057c5fdf36e3ad9763a0/thumbnail_260000.jpg","/articles/6583007/Texas/Austin-ISD-given-C-under-new-state-accountability-number-of-F-rated-schools-rises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583007-8121259ec7025ddb63ca5785c106599b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448338&Signature=G4q4a3Nxyf2EPPKpejPsnRicgCkEuxy6bUUAo1~h4q4y-AfKB3yvH14~5e82m53glVdgsDl2B01q7OJ7hh0orar-pRXpI2hCXo7HxvLuAdOT7takaUh4s9402vXIYdHG7DH~J6gs0rWAWLWRyHupE9SEZ-st5Qw9eHisyX68SlnrskdQQbkvBpjj4c3uDpznJZq7VRwbIeD6xbpyv8A0Q-pVcX4r5mlSeCsVCCqYsADTXJktYH1k-R9uGZBcasEC2y6v7AYVBrO4E4DlO-QX3RrbXI5pqqubwUH961vF3BbU9AKj32ZjefXUfoTXCcee7m71X390S4EkQQUxIUfUeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Independent School District officials briefed the board April 24 on the first statewide accountability ratings issued under the Texas Education Agency’s redesigned system, saying the district received an overall C for 2023 and that the distribution of campus letter grades shifted sharply after changes to the STAAR exam and rating methodology.

Dr. Jacob Reach, Chief of Governmental Relations and Board Services, told trustees the TEA rating released that day applied a new “STAR 2” test and higher standards for college, career and military readiness. “The 2023 ratings provide the first opportunity to see how the changes to the STAR assessment and accountability system have impacted outcomes,” Reach said during the presentation.

Why it matters: TEA’s changes — including a cap on multiple-choice items, introduction of technology-enhanced questions, writing at every grade level and a new growth methodology — raised the bar for many campuses. As a result, district staff said, campus ratings shifted substantially between 2022 and 2023 and require new district planning where schools fell into lower categories.

Key findings presented by district staff:
- AISD was assigned an overall letter grade of C (77) for 2023. Reach said district and campus grades feed the district rating proportionally rather than as a simple average.
- The number of AISD schools rated A fell (39 in 2022 to 24 in 2023) and F-rated campuses rose (6 in 2022 to 30 in 2023), district materials showed.
- Overall, 48 campuses held or improved their rating versus 2022; 64 declined. The district noted 16 campuses dropped from a B in 2022 to an F in 2023.
- Thirty-nine AISD campuses earned at least one distinction designation in 2023 (105 total distinctions across categories). Two campuses — LAHSA and Travis Heights Elementary — earned all available distinctions, the presentation said.

How the system changed: Reach and colleagues emphasized several methodological shifts between 2022 and 2023, including the new STAAR item types and a revised growth model that measures increases in performance levels rather than only year-to-year point growth. They also described a higher threshold for an A in the CCAR (college, career and military readiness) indicator: “Schools in 2022, if 60 percent of their graduates achieved college, career and military readiness, their school earned an A in that area. But in 2023, that same score would result in a letter, a grade of D,” Reach said.

District context and next steps: Trustees pressed staff on what the results mean for campuses at risk of heightened state intervention. District staff noted 30 campuses received an F in the 2023 release; three campuses named in prior briefings were identified as having consecutive low ratings and must submit turnaround plans by state deadlines. Staff said the district posted campus-level results on BoardDocs and directs stakeholders to texaschools.gov for state publications.

Staff and trustees emphasized the near-term work ahead: analyzing whether declines reflect measurement changes or programmatic issues and preparing campus turnaround plans where required. The presentation also reiterated that 2024 accountability results remain tied up in separate litigation and had not been released at the time of the briefing.

Ending: Trustees asked district staff to make campus-level results and explanations more accessible to families and to continue to report back as the district completes required turnaround plans and monitors implications for federal and state accountability labels.","Austin Independent School District officials briefed the board April 24 on the first statewide accountability ratings issued under the Texas Education Agency’s redesigned system, saying the district received an overall C for 2023 and that the distribution of campus letter grades shifted sharply after changes to the STAAR exam and rating methodology.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6583000,"Ann Richards community urges board to reinstate principal after district recommends termination",8160,2520000,10680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124470-62f099238e30057c5fdf36e3ad9763a0&start=2520&end=10680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124470-62f099238e30057c5fdf36e3ad9763a0/thumbnail_2520000.jpg","/articles/6583000/Texas/Ann-Richards-community-urges-board-to-reinstate-principal-after-district-recommends-termination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583000-e38f46040887bf091a953b84d1cb3c98/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448338&Signature=em4GCVkLaD6EDoonSTit6UMdlrYYOfcg03gA74vDMQSVgDhuofXlXZcBdOTcw3cO73~JdQprWY4vTBJ0EBs-UgOKqkrmqf3lr~6U5ihqLkFQBrEXsA9uKplwLCNqLHDrJ~m2ieAkZxj7liEjLR4Ibf40WqjArCu2~Uq2NKB4XuDA3QGGPCS~FqO5EOdr3wCh0bRFbyCoXt1ldyqUNlqpLsD4S2onjjOZ-J19X25OIgSUTcF2i9XhyUjzRSkRPtU3zwASqTTdIvMzZrJ~TQp1DJS6xKA0FRBe2uBbkXiVosFVqtx9fn~FiggCNhNBZUYjWoae4FaDOi-jqANi5J9a~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of in-person speakers and hundreds of recorded messages pressed the Austin ISD Board April 24 to reject the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate the principal at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, saying the school had suffered leadership disruption and that the principal is widely respected by students, staff and parents.

What speakers said: Over the public testimony period speakers who identified themselves as parents, students, alumni, teachers and school staff described the principal as a committed leader who “restored” school culture after difficult years. Callers urged trustees to reinstate the principal and to use restorative processes rather than termination. Several speakers said an investigation the district relied on was incomplete and that the district should share more documentation or seek third‑party review.

Representative remarks and themes:
- “She has been an exemplary employee,” several callers said, asking trustees to “do the right thing” and reverse the superintendent’s recommendation.
- Students and parents asked the board to consider the principal’s record of leadership and student support, noting effects on morale if the leader were removed.
- Several speakers emphasized that the principal had followed directives from central office and that the district, not an individual principal, should bear responsibility for systemic failures involving a complex student case.
- Education‑employee groups and many teachers at Ann Richards urged trustees to prioritize support, transparency and restorative practice rather than immediate termination.

Board process: The item — listed as a recommended termination of professional employment (agenda item 14.1) — was scheduled for consideration at the meeting. The board moved into executive session at the close of the public-comment period to discuss personnel and legal matters; trustees said they would return to open session afterward to take any final action on the agenda item.

Ending: Trustees did not record a final vote on item 14.1 in the public portion of the meeting; the board recessed to executive session and said it would return to open session before any action. Multiple callers asked the board to delay or reverse any termination and asked for a more transparent process or neutral review of the district’s investigative record.","Hundreds of community members — students, parents, teachers and alumni — urged the Austin ISD Board April 24 to reject a superintendent recommendation to terminate the principal at Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, calling for reinstatement, more transparency and restorative approaches.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6583004,"Parents, staff push back on plan to move Dobie students; board pulls $4.6M modular contract for Lamar",9579,1157000,10736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124470-62f099238e30057c5fdf36e3ad9763a0&start=1157&end=10736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124470-62f099238e30057c5fdf36e3ad9763a0/thumbnail_1157000.jpg","/articles/6583004/Texas/Parents-staff-push-back-on-plan-to-move-Dobie-students-board-pulls-46M-modular-contract-for-Lamar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583004-c5b23ea8d30e4520615791912f41fdde/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448338&Signature=lk0xV4B90VJD4-dRWKtdvrUKWhGw6HiMK~tAD9B0W79blzkpR40HLlBWkyGu9kobnxPbw47CaZVWKpNEum12EzaVX38d1TasnhXW4SbIKptArpWqdu0fJ6cLcFhmj6Q2wB0fYrX0tYsKaPM1hRN9O7U18CTI1h0RPLuiJxoEeGeFEx9~CXT0sWNFeg~MTf43I-VVMLpqjseJSp-a9nSAewAhwxehCXFwm-G9bBLMvb6UUXA3~2rn5C6upo6YhOqxFFg9Hg-WE8HrE-gMjL93lPcXZLKuqe7b3-eAVjO9JAXoJqFZ61xJKJ570o2f72Kfx4ugI-dljFGroef7qwK8Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees on the Austin ISD Board paused action April 24 on a superintendent request to authorize up to $4.6 million for modular portable classrooms at Lamar Middle School after extensive public comment and follow-up questions from trustees about capacity and alternatives.

What the item proposed: The administration had asked the board to authorize the superintendent to enter negotiations and potentially execute a contract to install modular facilities at Lamar to accommodate up to about 500 students displaced if Dobie Middle School were closed or otherwise consolidated. The figure mentioned in backup and the public meetings was up to $4,600,000 for modulars and associated site work.

Public reaction at the meeting: Dozens of speakers — parents, teachers and students from both Dobie and Lamar — urged trustees to delay the decision. Common themes included safety and capacity concerns at Lamar (speakers noted the campus was already over capacity), uncertainty about how many students would move, the logistics of placing portables far from the main building, impacts on passing periods, lunchrooms and special education supports, and a request that funds instead support a turnaround plan for Dobie.

Examples from the record:
- Multiple speakers cited Lamar’s current utilization in excess of 100 percent and said bringing hundreds of Dobie students would worsen overcrowding and create safety risks for students and staff.
- A number of parents and staff asked the board to keep Dobie open and instead invest in a school-based turnaround or pursue an 18-82 charter partnership for Dobie so the school could remain in its community.
- Several public commenters asked that the board not approve large capital outlays before the district completes its turnaround plan for Dobie and before families know where students will attend.

Trustee and administration exchange: Trustees pressed administration on timing and posting logistics for the contract authorization. Superintendent Matias Segura and staff explained the administration had posted the authorization because the district has one regular board meeting a month and some contracts require time to be executed before the summer. Administration said it had also obtained a temporary extension from TEA on the turnaround-plan submission and subsequently requested the item be pulled from the agenda to allow more community conversation.

Outcome: The administration requested item 11.7 be pulled and the board did not vote on the modular contract. Trustees said the district will continue to consult with families and principals and return with more detailed plans before asking for authorization to proceed.

Ending: Trustees and staff said they will continue community engagement and bring more detailed, campus-specific plans and estimated student counts before returning with a procurement request; meanwhile the board deferred the modular-contract vote to let those conversations continue.","Trustees delayed a vote after public outcry and trustee questions about a superintendent recommendation to authorize up to $4.6 million for modular classrooms at Lamar Middle School to absorb students from Dobie Middle School. Community speakers and trustees said more planning and clearer options are needed before a contract is approved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Austin ISD projects $129M preliminary general-fund deficit for FY26; district presses for cuts and new revenue

Austin ISD given C under new state accountability; number of F-rated schools rises

Ann Richards community urges board to reinstate principal after district recommends termination

Parents, staff push back on plan to move Dobie students; board pulls $4.6M modular contract for Lamar