Austin ISD proposes district-managed restart, staffing additions and contingency for three middle schools

Austin Independent School District officials presented district-managed restart turnaround plans on June 26 for Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools and said the district will submit the plans to the Texas Education Agency by June 30, 2025, pending board approval.

The plans are required by state accountability rules for campuses rated "unacceptable" for two consecutive years. Dr. Jacob Reach, Austin ISD's chief officer of government relations and board services, said the district selected a district-managed restart strategy and plans to implement the Accelerated Campus Excellence (ACE) model at each campus, and that the district included a contingency that could activate an 1882 partnership later in the school year.

"Austin ISD has selected the restart district managed," Dr. Jacob Reach said. "We are utilizing the district managed restart because this is really aligned with the feedback that we heard from our community." He said the ACE model includes five required pillars: strategic staffing, instructional excellence, extended day, social and emotional supports, and community partnerships.

The district outlined three primary goals for the campuses: achieve a Texas Education Agency accountability rating of C or better; increase by 10% the share of students receiving special education services who meet or master grade-level standards on STAAR; and ensure that every student qualifying for Tier 2 and Tier 3…