"If the Austin Independent School District closes 13 schools as planned, what happens next could remove some of the most valuable public land nestled among residential neighborhoods across the city. The Austin ISD board - made up of nine elected officials - meets Thursday for the first time since staff unveiled the school consolidation plan last Friday. AISD leaders said their proposal will better balance enrollment and save money in a district where almost half the local property taxes are redistributed across Texas"
"The 13 campuses slated for closure next year are Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley and Widén elementary schools - along with Bedichek and Martin middle schools and Winn Montessori. Together, those campuses are worth almost $296 million and contain more than one million square feet of air-conditioned space, according to Travis County Central Appraisal District records analyzed by KUT News."
Austin Independent School District plans to close 13 campuses to better balance enrollment and save money. Trustees will meet Thursday and are scheduled to vote on the consolidation plan on Nov. 20 amid protests from parents and teachers urging a delay. The 13 campuses include several elementary, middle and Montessori schools and together are worth almost $296 million with over one million square feet of air-conditioned space. AISD faces a $19.7 million shortfall and projects immediate annual savings of at least $20 million mainly from laying off administrative and support staff, plus $300,000 in annual utility savings and $3 million in long-term savings from removing portable classrooms. The district predicts total savings of $25.6 million from the consolidation plan.
Read at Austin Monitor
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