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Staff Weekly
By JJ Maldonado & Collaborators ● Jul 22, 2024
Smart Brevity® count: 3.5 mins...929 words
Hello friends 👋,
We’re back with another special edition of the Staff Weekly.
📆 Tomorrow the Board of Trustees will meet to discuss a Voter-approval Tax Ratification Election and long-range budget planning.
🇺🇲 Plus, we’re celebrating a hometown hopeful making their mark in Paris at the 2024 Summer Olympics. 🏅 #TeamUSA
And…shoutout to the Travis ECHS Culinary Program! Check out CTE Teacher Jayma Vaughan talk about the program on KXAN.
Let’s begin!
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1 Big Thing: Trustees, District leadership continue discussion on possible tax election, budget planning
The Board of Trustees will meet for a special information session July 23 to discuss the possible Voter-approval Tax Ratification Election and long-range budget planning.
Why it matters: Stagnant state funding and recapture payments that top $800 million have forced Austin ISD leaders to make difficult budget decisions and look to taxpayers for an infusion of cash.
Let’s go back: Last month, the board approved a $954 million budget, which includes a $78 million deficit for the 2024-25 school year.
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This deficit could dwindle to $41 million with expected vacancy savings, ongoing cost reductions throughout the year and possible approval of a tax ratification election.
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Staff raises and market adjustments, totaling approximately $17.8 million, would also be on the table if voters approve the tax ratification election.
The big picture: Before anyone goes to the polls, district leaders will present a plan to realign district operations to work more efficiently and better meet students’ needs. This could look like restructuring central office, reviewing staffing guidelines and adjusting campus programming and master schedules.
Tune in on AISD.TV or the Austin ISD Facebook page to hear the discussion live starting at 5:30 p.m.
What’s next: Trustees could take action to call the tax ratification election as early as Aug. 8 by adding a voting item to the Board Information Session agenda. If called, the item will be on the ballot in November.
Mark your calendars: Staff and families will have three opportunities to give feedback via Zoom before the Aug. 8 vote. Conversations will be in English and Spanish with ASL interpretation.
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Summer Theater Series performs to sold out crowds
For the first time in the history of the Austin ISD Summer Theatre Series, a musical sold out completely, filling the Performing Arts Center to capacity.
What they’re saying: “It’s always nice to have a show audiences want to come to,” said Marco Bazan, director of ‘Shrek’. “But the success came in getting 100 plus students involved in a production and making them feel successful and making them feel like they are part of something really good.”
By the number: More than 250 students from 43 campuses across the district participated in the productions. The students poured their hearts into every song and dance, and it showed.
"Performing in Shrek the Musical has been a dream come true. The energy from the audience was incredible, and it felt amazing to be part of such a historic moment for our theatre program," Audrey Nixon, who played Princess Fiona, said.
Background: The Austin ISD Summer Theatre Series is a free summer program for 5th through 12th grade students for the 2023-2024 school year.
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Kate's Olympic dream: From McCallum to Paris
While many of you are getting ready to support Team USA in the Paris 2024 Olympics, one of our own, Kate Knifton, will be going for gold.
Why it matters: Knifton is part of the Women’s Four, under 23, Rowing Competition. She is not only representing the United States, but also the Austin ISD community.
“I'm excited, I'm sure I'll be nervous…once we get to Paris, it'll probably feel a little bit more real, but I'm definitely excited as well,” Knifton said.
How she got here: Her interest in rowing was inspired in part by her father and grandfather who both practice the sport professionally.
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Knifton started her rowing journey when she was a junior at McCallum High School.
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She graduated from McCallum in 2018.
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For five years Knifton was part of the rowing team during her years at the University of Texas.
Go deeper: Learn more about Knifton’s journey and inspiration.
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What’s next…Four more weeks till we begin the 2024-25 school year.
Save the date as we get ready for Convocation. We’ll be ready for a hybrid event to welcome you to the new year on Aug. 9. More details to follow!
-JJ
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