Austin ISD parents, alumni and teachers urge board to pause school closures and protect dual-language and Montessori campuses

Dozens of parents, alumni and teachers urged the Austin Independent School District board of trustees on Sept. 18 to halt planned school consolidations and closures and to preserve successful programs, saying the district should prioritize academic supports over facilities changes.

Speakers urged a moratorium on consolidations and closures and asked the board to provide more time and detail before final votes. “If we truly want to break the cycle of underperformance, our kids need stability,” said Carla Perez, a Wynn Montessori parent. “Replacing current staff would undo years of progress and further fracture our community.”

The session was an information meeting open to public comment. The board said it had time for up to 60 public speakers; staff reported 11 people signed up to speak in person and 49 people left recorded messages. Speakers were allotted one minute each.

Many callers focused on two campuses in particular. Multiple parents and community members urged the board to extend the turnaround timeline for Wynn Montessori, the district’s only public Montessori option and a dual-language site. Speakers provided the board with…