Austin ISD

The district is working on its budget for the 2023-2024 school year. AISD administrators and school board members say employee compensation is the top priority.

The new lessons AISD introduced this fall start in kindergarten and run through high school. But not all students will participate. Parents and guardians must opt their kids into the lessons because of a state law Texas lawmakers passed in 2021.

The district’s current chief of operations, Matias Segura, will take on the position. He played a key role in crafting the 2022 bond package that voters overwhelmingly approved last month.

Now that four new trustees have officially joined the Austin ISD school board, they are moving quickly to select a new interim superintendent. Their goal is to name someone for the job by Dec. 15.

Anthony Mays is leaving at the end of the semester. His replacement, and the eventual permanent superintendent, will be taking over while school districts continue to confront a teacher shortage and the effects of the pandemic.

Five of the nine seats on the Austin ISD board of trustees were on the ballot this election. All the winners have worked in public education, and nearly all are former Austin ISD employees.

The Austin ISD board of trustees hired Anthony Mays to be the interim superintendent in June following the departure of Stephanie Elizalde. He plans to begin his new role with Alief ISD in January.

The board of trustees approved the new student holiday back in September. District officials said the move addresses school safety concerns and gives eligible students and staff a chance to vote.

One of the candidates is running unopposed and two incumbents are facing challengers. Whoever is elected will help choose the district’s next superintendent.

Inspectors are seeing if they can easily gain access to school buildings and evaluating check-in procedures for visitors. If issues are identified, school districts have 45 days to address them.