DUAL‑LANGUAGE PROPOSALS DRAW QUESTIONS

Multiple parents asked how the district’s draft would affect access to dual‑language programs, how transfers would be handled, and whether the district would guarantee that newly unzoned or wall‑to‑wall schools would serve a high proportion of economically disadvantaged and emergent bilingual students. One attendee described a suggested “fifth wall‑to‑wall dual language program” at Dawson; others raised concerns about Becker consolidating into Zilker and whether bilingual program culture would be preserved.

DISTRICT RESPONSE: EVALUATING VIABILITY AND TRADE‑OFFS

Yvette Cárdenas, executive director for multilingual education, and Superintendent Segura said the district had received the Dawson proposal and would evaluate student locations, program viability and overlaps with the plan for Sanchez. Segura warned that some options could affect turnaround requirements for Sanchez—potentially changing whether Sanchez would need reassignment, restart, or partner interventions under accountability rules.

STAFFING, TRANSPORTATION AND PROGRAM QUALITY

District staff said dual‑language staffing must follow where emergent bilingual students reside; in other words, program teacher credentials and placements are driven by student population. The district said it would provide transportation for some program moves (Segura noted transportation had been added to proposals after community feedback) and that transition plans would include staff planning time, meetings for families to meet new case managers, and additional functional pay for staff planning.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Parents asked for commitments that newly unzoned programs reach target shares of economically disadvantaged students and for assurances the district will fund outreach and transportation to build enrollment. Community members also asked that the district publish maps and enrollment projections showing the expected emergent bilingual population at proposed receiving campuses so that staffing and program decisions can be evaluated.

WHAT REMAINS UNDECIDED

Segura said the district will continue to explore proposals but cautioned that removing elements of the current plan could affect the Sanchez turnaround. He said updated documents and maps were in progress and urged families to review the condensed materials the district planned to release for the board packet.