On Monday, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to move forward with the closure of four elementary campuses: Pease, Brooke, Sims, and Metz. The plan was recently revised. AISD had initially planned to shutter a dozen schools, prompting widespread backlash from the community. Despite whittling the number down to only four, the controversy surrounding the decision has continued to simmer, boiling over at times during the Novermber 18, 2019 board meeting.
In a 6-3 vote that came shortly after midnight, the board opted to close the four schools by the 2020-21 school year. Dozens of speakers made their voices heard, but it was AISD’s own Equity Officer, Stephanie Hawley, who received the most reaction with her comments.
“The map that you have of school closures is a map of what 21st century racism looks like,” Hawley said to thunderous applause from the crowd.
Other parents chided the school board for what they believed to be a rushed process, despite the district hosting nearly two-dozen community meetings leading up to their vote.
AISD has said the plan is not ideal, but is necessary to address under-performing schools with low enrollment, which could ultimately help bridge the district’s growing budget deficit. In a statement over the weekend, the district said it’s still facing a $24-to-$48-million budget deficit that will have to be covered by spending cuts and reserves.
(Photo:NewsradioKLBJ/590am/99.7fm/Jon Cooley)
