Austin ISD hosting a series of community workshops to get insight on the School Changes process

Austin ISD is reinventing the use of its facilities to better align district resources to meet student needs. The district is hosting a series of community workshops designed to engage the community in a dialogue around the challenges and opportunities that the district faces moving forward.

The goal of this process is to get more students into 21st-century learning spaces with a wide range of academic and enrichment opportunities that inspire and engage.

During this process potential outcomes could include; boundary changes, school closures and consolidations, or repurposing. The process will also include identifying gaps in programming and creating new academic and enrichment opportunities for students.

Additionally, the school district will continue to work with community partners to determine how some repurposed facilities could provide a community benefit such as affordable housing, parkland, resource centers or recreation spaces.

The workshops will include a panel discussion of AISD staff, community members, planners and developers.

Participants will gain a better understanding of the "reinvention roadmap" and participate in activities on what it could look like to come out of this process with school communities that are better and stronger than they are today.

Workshops:

Academics and Economic Opportunity Panel focusing on the district's academic priorities and response to the changing economic landscape in Central Texas.

Tuesday, April 16, 6 – 8 p.m. Bowie High School, 4103 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78749

Panelists include:   

• Paul Cruz, Ph.D.: AISD Superintendent
• Rebecca Giello: City of Austin Economic Development, Interim Director
• Jon E. Hockenyos, TXP Economists & Strategists President

Wednesday, April 24, 6 – 8:00 p.m. Alternative Learning Center, 4900 Gonzales St, Austin, TX 78702

Panelists include:

• Michelle Cavazos, Chief Officer for School Leadership
• Sylnovia Holt-Rabb: City of Austin Economic Development, Acting Deputy Director 
• Darin Smith: Economic & Planning Systems (EPS), Managing Principal

Equity and School Community Benefit Panel focusing on how the district can continue to meet community needs and how the reinvention process presents and opportunity to increase equity in the district.

Wednesday, April 17, 6 – 8 p.m. Fulmore Middle School, 201 E Mary St, Austin, TX 78704

Panelists include:

• Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette: Huston-Tillotson University, President and CEO
• Janetta McCoy: Pecan Manor B&B, Innkeeper 
• Rosie Truelove: City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation, Director

Thursday, April 25, 6 – 8 p.m. Dobie Middle School, 1200 E Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78753

Panelists include:

• Brion Oaks: City of Austin Equity Office, Chief Equity Officer
• anetta McCoy: Pecan Manor B&B, Innkeeper
• Rosie Truelove: City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation, Director