Parents whose children attend Joslin Elementary marched around the school in South Austin Saturday to urge Austin school board members to keep it open. Such rallies are becoming the norm for Austin weekends, at least since the AISD Facilities Task Force released initial options for closing schools. Thirteen schools were named, but the task force is doing things differently now. It's no longer naming schools. Instead it's identifying areas of Austin that could have a school close. Some parents say they won’t let their guard down still. Task Force recommendations are due to the AISD school board late March.
Till then, trustees have plenty to keep them busy. Friday, school district officials announced as many as 1,000 jobs could be cut next year. Here is a list of positions that could be eliminated. The board will take up that vote at its meeting on Monday, Feb. 14.
Austin is not unique in Texas. Check out Dallas ISD’s budget plan that includes cutting 3,900 jobs.
Meanwhile Governor Rick Perry was in Washington to ask Republican Congressmen to repeal part of a federal education funding bill that included a provision that would require states to maintain public education funding levels for three fiscal years. Texas would have been eligible for as much as $800 million dollars. But the state couldn't guarantee funding levels, so lost out. Governor Rick Perry argues the provision violates the Texas constitution. U.S House Rep. Michael Burgess ( R-Lewisville) filed a bill to reverse the funding requirement.
