AISD Says It Will Be Tough To Decide Which Schools To Close And Promises Significant Public Input

The Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote Monday night, Feb. 25, on moving forward with plans to close and consolidate some schools. The district says it wants all students to attend schools with updated facilities and robust programs and that this is the way to get there. But some school board members say the district is moving too fast, and they have shared concerns from constituents that under-enrolled East Austin schools would bear the brunt of the closures. There are really practical elements to school closures and really emotional elements, too; a beloved school can sometimes be the heart of a neighborhood. KUT's Jennifer Stayton talked recently with the district’s Chief Officer for School Leadership Michelle Cavazos about all of this. Cavazos started by explaining why the district insists closures and consolidations must happen.