Austin ISD X Podcast

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac breakdown the plans discussed to address the budget deficit, share their takes about some of the proposed solutions including “7 of 8” , and reflect on their experience at KUT Festival.

We sit down with some of the candidates for State Board of Education District 5 to hear why they are running for this office, what they plan to do if elected, and why they should get your vote. Like listen and share!

Megan Dougherty joins Candace Sharyn and Cuitlahuac to talk about the new social studies framework and standards going through the Texas State Board of Education approval process right now. They discuss the changes, the impact, and what you can and should do to make your opinion heard.

Sharyn is back! and joins Cuitlahuac to break down the disconnect between what the administration tells the board and what actually is happening in the schools the district continuously under supports and under resources and which are now facing state takeover in the forms TIPs TAPs and 1882s. They also break down bad news for the budget, celebrate a review of the public appeals process, and ask the district to do more to facilitate volunteers.

We sit down with some of the candidates for State Board of Education District 5 to hear why they are running for this office, what they plan to do if elected, and why they should get your vote. Like listen and share!

We sit down with some of the candidates for State Board of Education District 5 to hear why they are running for this office, what they plan to do if elected, and why they should get your vote. Like listen and share!

We sit down with some of the candidates for State Board of Education District 5 to hear why they are running for this office, what they plan to do if elected, and why they should get your vote. Like listen and share!

Candace and Cuitlahuac speak with Texas House District 49 Democratic candidate Kimmie Ellison who talks about her personal and professional journey, education-specific legislative goals, and what she's thinks is important for her constituents.

What should happen now that Austin ISD’s internal investigation reveals no data manipulation during the school closure process? What do the so called “universal” choice sheets reveal about the inequities in Austin ISDl? How will proposed changes to the district grievance process affect families? Cuitlahuac is joined by Nikkie, Nadia, and Lisa to try and get some answers.

Candace and Cuitlahuac speak to Texas House District 49 Democratic candidate Robin Lerner who talk about her personal and professional journey, education-specific legislative goals, and how her work in human rights guides her work beyond education.

Candace joins Cuitlahuac to breakdown the different local, state, and federal elections voters will cast a ballot for in the upcoming primary and how each office can and does affect education.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac break down the transparency or lack thereof in the process of bringing in 1882 charter school operators to take over Dobie, Webb, and Burnet Middle Schools, as well as celebrate milestones achieved by the district in Special Education evaluations and highlight the work that still needs to be done there and with regards to how students can be excluded from the classroom as a form of discipline

Candace and Cuitlahuac speak with Texas House District 49 Democratic candidate Montserrat Garibay who talks about her personal and professional journey, education-specific legislative goals, and what she's hearing is important to the people in her district.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac breakdown the last board meeting of 2025 and some of the promises made include ensuring smooth transitions for staff and families at closing or consolidating campuses, promises to begin work on an Academic Vision that will guide curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and delaying a finish to the systemic changes initially promised this fall.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac break down how trustees responded to the possibility of handing over three academically unacceptable middle schools over to a charter school organization, how the superintendent responded to calls from trustees to raise the goals on his scorecard, and how students are benefiting from the work between Austin ISD and Austin Community College. They also look ahead to potential changes to bilingual education policy and if the superintendent plans to make good on promises to revisit school closures and boundary changes put on hold this past fall.

Lisa, Sharyn, and Cuitlahuac break down a historic 9-hour hearing + meeting that includes how the district (supposedly) plans to use data to ensure schools currently in or headed for a Turn Around Plan succeed, why certain parent groups are given more explicit support in finding new academic programs versus others, and what next steps the district plans to make in its promise to enact systemic change.

Dr. Mary Anne Maxwell, Assistant Superintendent K-12 Academics and Superintendent Matias Segura join Sharyn and Cuitlahuac to talk about the academic vision of the district and address abrupt changes to the consolidation and closure plan.

Dr. Valerie Sterne join Nadia and Cuitlahuac to discuss choice schools specifically the wall-to-wall dual language schools Austin ISD is closing and relocating.

We catch up with three former Dobie Middle School teachers and talk about their experience going through a Turn Around Plan at their campus.

Current and Former AISD Trustees Candace Hunter and Noelita Lugo join Sharyn and Cuitlahuac to discuss how, in terms of academic accountability, finances, and instructional leadership Austin ISD is once again closing schools.

Trustee Candace Hunter returns to talk to Sharyn and Cuitlahuac about the Austin ISD proposed closures and consolidation plan.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac are joined by Lisa Bennett and Emily Germain, two parents with children at Maplewood and Sunset Valley elementary schools respectively, both schools on the closure list of Austin ISD's draft plan released October 3rd, to talk about how it feels to have their school targeted for closure, what their reaction is to a trustee who already came out against the plan, and what they would need to see as parents to move forward with this plan.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac respond to the public comments at the Sept 18 board information session and detail how Lone Star Governance has become the Party by telling trustees that whatever LSG holds to be student centered, is student centered. They also ask, can the superintendent even keep the promises he is making with regards to the scorecard and stadiums? Finally, just how low a bar can the district set?

Cuitlahuac and Sharyn talk about new policies the board recently passed, Lone Star Governance’s iron grip on the district, and Bryker Woods’ high-profile lobbying  to stay open. 

Former Trustee Noelita Lugo joins Lisa, Nadia, Sharyn, and Cuitlahuac to go over closure plans, literacy goals, special education compliance, the cell phone ban, and if the district is actually interested in community feedback.

Nikkie and Nadia join Sharyn and Cuitlahuac to review the rubric published by Austin ISD that will be used to formulate a consolodiations and closure plan this fall.

Sharyn and our panel of advocates, Nikkie, Nadia, and Lisa, share their takeaways from AISD's recent consolidation workshops: pleasant surprise, wat was missing, and they they way to see in the final plan.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac discuss why the leadership in Austin ISD cannot articulate a clear academic vision, whether it be pedagogical curriculum and instruction, or a baseline of offerings and programs that every parent can expect at any AISD school, as trustees vote to approve a budget, turnaround plans, and get an update on consolidations and closures.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac cover a lot of topics including-TEA Commissioner Mike Morath on curriculum and literacy-Austin ISD Protesting at TEA Offices-Turnaround Plans for 3 Middle School-Consolidation and Closure Plans for the district-Instruction Support for Special Education-Budget Deficit-Advanced Math at 6th Grade-Community Meetings with TrusteesIt's a long episode we hope you listen to as much as you can over as many listening sessions as you need.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac mark the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next as the academic year comes to an end with profound sadness and joy. They also look forward to the beginning of the latest cycle of school closure in Austin ISD with a focus on turnaround plans, budget cuts, and a call for the community members to consider what sacrifices they will be expected to make.

Lisa Flores joins Sharyn and Cuitlahuac to discuss the impact of Lone Star Governance (LSG) on the Austin ISD Board's efforts to discuss district turn around plans and school closures. They also focus on the current state of Special Education as well as recent community meetings at Webb and Burnet Middle Schools.

Joining to discuss the Austin ISD board voting meeting on Thursday April 24th and the Lamar community meeting on April 21 with Sharyn and Cuitlahuac are Nikkie Shubitz, Nadia Khan, and Lisa Flores. The group starts by weighing on the the decision to remove the principal from the Ann Richards School of Young Women Leaders, then react to the community meeting at Lamar Middle School. They also discuss their hopes for futures budget cuts and the District Turn Around Plan that will be presented to the board during an informational meeting on Friday May 2nd.

Four current Dobie Middle School staff join Sharyn and Cuitlahuac to discuss what its like to teach at Dobie, how the possible options for next year could affect students, and how the students and Rundberg community are reacting to the possible closure of Dobie Middle School

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac tackle head on the prospect of school closures after financial consultants hired by the district present that idea and others to the board as a cost cutting measure.

Trustee Candace Hunter rejoins the podcast with Sharyn and Cuitlahuac to talk about how well Austin ISD is meeting literacy goals for its students and engaging student families. Trustee Hunter also updates us on looming budget cuts and how she and the rest of the board deals with the TEA monitor and Lone Star Compliance is

Former Austin ISD School Board Trustee Noelita Lugo joins Sharyn and Cuitlahuac in conversation about how she went from Pease Elementary School parent fighting closure, to becoming an elected member of the board. Former Trustee Lugo also details the scope and limitations of a trustee working under different superintendents and administrations. The conversations also centers Special Education services in the district and the current situation with the Texas Education Agency monitor.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac breakdown a lengthy board meeting that includes a budget workshop which discusses possible cuts including less planning time for teachers and school closures, as well as reports on the the district's academic performance and improvements plans to support specific struggling schools.

Sharyn Vane and Cuitlahuac Guerra discuss the Austin ISD Board Information Session from Thursday February 13, 2025 where the district informed trustees of an even bigger budget deficit than anticipated as well as highlighting how well secondary students are performing on the Texas Success Initiative. Sharyn and Cuitlahuac also talk about how the TEA monitor and Lone Star Governance / compliance is affecting board meetings.

Austin ISD Ex Officio Podcast has a new name and new co-host. Join Cuitlahuac, Candace, Emily, and Sharyn as they catch up with Candace about her work as a school board trustee.

We hear from newly elected Austin ISD Trustee Candace Hunter as she shares her experience and journey from classroom teacher to board member. Emily and Cuitlahuac also give their analysis of the election results including the historic Austin ISD bonds. And we weigh in on the news that Interim Superintendent Dr. Anthony Mays will be leaving the district sooner than expected. 

Cuitlahuac makes his picks for the Austin ISD Trustee elections and why you should vote for all three Austin ISD bond proposals. There are only a few days of early voting left, and of course Election Day. Give this short episode a listen, share it with your friends, and get out and vote.

Candace, Emily & Cuitlahuac are joined by special education services advocate Lisa Flores to discuss the Austin ISD discipline data presented to the trustees as part of the superintendent scorecard during the first board meeting of September. What can Austin ISD do to stop disproportionately discipling Black students? Did the district meet its goal when it comes to disciplining students with disabilities, or are campuses using "shadow discipline" to improve their data? What purpose do police on campus serve and what impact are they having? While this conversation about discipline in schools starts by focusing on the the Austin Independent School District, its goes over issues of students safety in schools that are important to everyone.

Join the AISDXP team as we learn more about the bond, get an update on where the district is in the bond process, and hear our take on voting. https://www.austinisd.org/equityoffice/framework https://www.austinisd.org/advisory-bodies/lpc (meetings tab) https://www.austinisd.org/advisory-bodies/bsc (meetings tab) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-22/texas-schools-are-stuffed-to-the-max-as-voters-reject-bond-sales

We understand that voting for a Bond is a complex and individual process. We felt that the last 4 minutes of S3 E3 deserved to be heard again and on its own. 

In this episode Emily and Candace analyze the June 23 Austin ISD Budget Hearing and Regular Board meeting; providing commentary and asking the questions that have yet to be answered around the essential areas redesign, district partner accountability, and the way forward.

Join the AISDXP team as they reflect on the interim Superintendent selection process, how the process can be improved, as well as the path forward for the community.

Join Cuitlahuac, Candace, and Emily as they take a look at three of the major issues facing the Austin Independent School district: Essential Areas redesign, selection of an interim superintendent, and the budget. 

I recently got intwined in the snarl that is Austin ISD communication. I attempted to make a public comment based on the requirements on the website and the outgoing instructional recording. However I was informed today that the language is incorrect and my comments do not meet the threshold to be played. Lesson learned; all my future comments will be made in person. Below is the social media post I made along with the recording of my public comment. @Austin ISD has chosen opacity over transparency. I made a public comment based on the website (now changed see original below) and outgoing message original recorded here along with the comment you will NOT hear this evening. I was informed the process has changed; therefore my call did not meet the requirement. This only further supports the lack of communication within the district itself and with the community.

Candace shares all the feels as Austin ISD moves to optional masking beginning Monday March, 7; the week before Spring Break and SXSW.

The AISDXP team commiserates with our co-host, Emily, a parent at Martin and attempts to analyze and reflect on the Austin ISD's decision to remove 6th grade from  two Eastside middle schools and the community engagement around the decision.  Austin ISD Q & A on the change: https://fb.watch/bnvMyKRmMi/ (English) https://fb.watch/bnvQAOTo9i/ (Spanish)