Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Austin ISD responds to parent petition to close 2 schools

fox7austin.com · 3hShare

After two Austin ISD schools received consecutive failing grades, the district now faces a potential state takeover. But there’s a chance it could be avoided if parents petition to close the schools down. Austin ISD parents asked to sign petition to avoid TEA takeover Burnet and Webb Middle Schools each received five consecutive "F" grades from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The state is now required to intervene. One way that could happen is a state takeover, in which the AISD Board of Trustees is replaced by a Board of Managers. But there is another option. Last week, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson proposed asking Burnet and Webb parents to petition the state to close their campuses. He referred to a rule that if over 50% of the parents sign the petition, it could avoid a state takeover. " I want Austin to be the best place in America to be a kid. And one of the things that plays a role in that is, I believe, a school district that is performing well and not taken over by the state of T

First report: AISD families push back against possible TEA takeover — kxan.com, 2d