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Parents, teachers press Austin ISD over Dobie, Webb and Burnett turnaround plans as district prepares 30‑day posting
Summary
Dozens of public comments at the June 12 Austin ISD board meeting urged greater transparency and community participation in imminent turnaround plans for Dobie, Webb and Burnett middle schools. District staff said plans are posted and that the board will consider final approval June 26 after a 30‑day public comment period required by TEA.
Dozens of parents, teachers and community members called on the Austin Independent School District board June 12 to slow or alter turnaround planning for Dobie, Webb and Burnett middle schools, arguing the district rushed the process and excluded school communities.
Public commenters described hurried reassignment of staff, short timelines for community meetings, and concern about mass dismissals and charter or state takeover. Callers asked for labor protections, transparency about principals, counselors and teachers for reconstituted campuses, and stronger engagement with feeder elementary schools.
"We oppose the disruptive turnaround plans pushed by Austin ISD and TEA," said a parent whose Spanish comments were interpreted into English. Several callers said they had attended demonstrations outside TEA offices earlier in the week to demand answers and argued that parents, teachers and students should lead restructuring plans.
District staff acknowledged community frustration and said the turnaround plans were posted May 25 to start the required 30‑day comment period. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amerson said the district adjusted its original timeline — which had aimed for an earlier vote — specifically to gather more input and to align with Texas Education Agency posting requirements. She described the district’s approach as a district‑managed restart aligned with ACE (Accelerating Campus Excellence) and said a contingency 1882 partnership plan (a state option to place a campus with an outside operator) had been developed but would only be activated if necessary and after further review.
Dr. Amerson highlighted four core components of the TAP (turnaround plan): a school improvement strategy, stakeholder engagement, milestones/performance management, and resources. Chief of Talent Strategy Brandy Hossick described staff allocations already made — counselors, assistant principals and wellness staff — and said the district has filled a majority of positions for the three campuses but continues to recruit.
A technical assistance partner, Steady State, was identified to support implementation, coaching and site visits and to help the district pursue extra TEA funding under a “resource campus” designation. Staff also described a district‑run summer learning experience for incoming students and a phone‑bank and outreach to promote attendance in those programs.
Trustees and the superintendent repeatedly urged the administration to be transparent about changes to the plans as public feedback comes in. Trustee Hunter asked administrators to produce clear, versioned updates that show what was changed in response to community input. The board moved the vote on plan approval to the June 26 meeting to allow additional time for comment and final revisions.
The district emphasized it must submit turnaround plans to TEA by the end of June and that the board will consider the public hearing and potential approval on June 26. Staff said if results in future accountability cycles keep a campus on an F trajectory, the district might be required to consider an 1882 external partnership; staff described multiple submission windows through which the district could pursue partners or apply for TEA grants.
Community members left the meeting urging continued presence outside TEA offices and demanding deeper inclusion of feeder elementary schools and special education concerns in any turnaround work.
