Austin ISD Seeks New Partners as Three Schools Face Closure Clock
The district is pursuing state funding deals for Dobie Middle School and two elementary campuses to avoid mandated interventions by December.
By Joao Menon ·
Austin Independent School District is seeking external management for three campuses to secure state funding and delay accountability measures.
The district is exploring partnerships under Senate Bill 1882 for Dobie Middle School, Linder Elementary School, and Pecan Springs Elementary School, according to a district calendar notice. Under these agreements, an outside nonprofit, charter school, or university takes over campus operations. In return, the district receives additional state funds and a two-year pause on state intervention, according to the Texas Education Agency.
District officials held community feedback meetings on October 27 at Linder and October 28 at Dobie. A virtual information session for all three school communities is scheduled for 11 a.m. on October 31. Terms for any new agreements have not been released, and any partnership requires trustee approval and state sign-off on the benefits.
This marks the district's second attempt this year to use the SB 1882 framework. An earlier partnership with the Texas Council for International Studies to run Burnet, Dobie, and Webb middle schools collapsed after the state denied the funding benefits in May. The Texas Education Agency stated the nonprofit lacked a track record of turning around low-performing schools. The district ended that partnership in July. Staff who stayed during the failed deal remained district employees with full benefits, according to the district.
Recent state accountability ratings drive the urgency. On August 14, TEA data showed Dobie earned a D after four consecutive F grades. Linder and Pecan Springs each received a fourth straight F. Burnet and Webb each received a fifth straight F. Superintendent Matias Segura told the board on August 13 that a D rating pauses the accountability clock without resetting it.
State law mandates specific actions when a campus earns five consecutive failing ratings. The education commissioner must then close the campus or replace the elected school board. The district must validate parent petitions to close Burnet and Webb and submit them to the state by December 1.
Source: Community Impact Austin
