Hundreds of community members filled the Austin ISD information session on Nov. 6 to protest a planned round of school consolidations and changes to the district’s dual‑language programming. Dozens of speakers — both in person and by recorded message — urged the board to pause the process, produce clearer data on anticipated student movements and transportation, and reconsider closing neighborhood schools such as Becker Elementary.

At the meeting President Lynn Boswell opened the public‑comment period after an earlier executive session and laid out rules for the hour’s testimony. Parents, teachers and neighborhood leaders described the emotional and logistical strain consolidations would cause, saying the draft plan threatens diversity and walkable access for families. “Were any of our suggestions properly considered as this plan was created?” Becker parent Delicia McClain asked the board, calling closures a “blunt instrument” that shuffles vulnerable students for little instructional gain.

Multiple callers and in‑person speakers pushed district leaders to keep dual‑language models in South Central Austin and asked trustees to consider alternatives such as merging campuses or expanding local bilingual offerings rather than shuttering schools. Several speakers, including members of the Becker Green Classroom and parents from Zilker and Bolden Creek, emphasized transportation and safety concerns if rezoning sends families to farther schools or across rail lines.

Some witnesses cited procedural problems. A Becker community member told trustees she had delayed public‑records (FOIA) responses and said two staff members had been placed on leave amid an integrity investigation. Berta Rendon Delgado, a former city housing commissioner, called the draft plan “racially, economically, and geographically segregated” and urged postponement and a legal review.

Superintendent Matias Segura (identified in staff remarks as Superintendent Segura) responded later in the meeting that the administration had modified the milestone schedule after reviewing community input and that an internal investigation had been initiated. He said the work on feeder alignment and school improvements is not canceled and that staff would seek additional trustee input before finalizing dates.

Trustees repeatedly pressed staff to provide more detailed budgets, clearer descriptions of how turnaround plans (TAPs) will be implemented, and explicit plans for transportation, special‑education placements, and community engagement. Several trustees requested a workshop before any vote so the board and public can examine TAP budgets, the effect on student assignment, and the district’s ability to implement changes with fidelity.

The board did not vote on consolidation actions at the Nov. 6 session. Trustees were told many items will return for final action at upcoming meetings and that the district will share additional modeling and timelines ahead of Nov. 20 when TAPs are currently scheduled for a vote.

The session illustrated deep community concern over closures and dual‑language moves, and a demand for more transparent data and clearer procedural safeguards before trustees take formal votes.