Austin ISD administration proposes reassigning Paredes students to Bailey and Mendez; board to vote July 30

Superintendent Segura told trustees the district is recommending a modification to Paredes Middle School’s turnaround plan that would reassign students to Bailey Middle School and Mendez Middle School ahead of the 2026-27 year, and that the board will consider the amendment at its July 30 voting meeting. “I don’t have a lot of confidence without a modification to the turnaround plan,” Segura said, framing the proposal as intended to put students in stronger operational and instructional settings.

Administration presented district monitoring data and staffing figures to justify the recommendation. Chief of staff Lakisha Drinks said Paredes currently has 18 vacancies, including 14 teaching vacancies, and therefore would not meet the personnel requirements for a district-managed restart under the turnaround plan. “Paredes has the most vacancies; currently they have 18 vacancies and 14 of those vacancies are teaching vacancies,” Drinks said. The administration proposed assigning the existing turnaround plan to Bailey and reassigning students geographically (roughly 55% to Bailey, 45% to Mendez) after mapping capacity and travel considerations.

The district described practical steps for the transition if the board approves the amendment: in-person registration Aug. 3–6 at Paredes, phone banks and email surveys for family enrollment intent, transition camps and campus visits, and targeted counseling and student-support circles. Officials said capacity checks and site walks are scheduled and that transportation eligibility will follow the district’s existing two-mile rule and hazard assessments. Administration also said stipends would be offered to staff at receiving campuses to help with continuity and support.

Trustees asked pointed questions about timing, state approval and fallback plans. Segura said staff had reached out to the Texas Education Agency and are confident the amendment can be approved, but gave no firm date for TEA’s decision. The superintendent and other administrators said alternative options were considered but that Paredes’ late-year data and staffing shortfalls made reassignment the most reliable path to provide students necessary supports for the coming year.

If the board supports the proposal on July 30, the district will begin family notifications and continue frequent public updates; administration committed to ongoing reporting on transition progress and to conducting the trustee listening sessions scheduled July 29–30 to gather further community input.