Public Education

Central Texas schools are finding ways to cut down on spending in the face of budget deficits. Reshuffling staff and delaying the opening of a new school are just a few of the steps districts are taking.

The size of Austin ISD’s budget deficit and salary increases for staff largely depend on whether the board calls a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election to generate millions in revenue. Without the funds generated by a new tax rate, the district will be $78 million in the hole.

Austin ISD is staring down a nearly $60 million budget deficit. District officials and school finance experts say adjusting per student spending for inflation would alleviate some of the financial strain public schools are facing.

School districts in the path of the totality cite concerns about an influx of visitors and traffic as reasons for the closures.

The Texas Legislature approved a law last year allowing religious chaplains to provide mental health services in public schools. School boards had to vote on the policy by March 1.

Del Valle ISD School Board President Rebecca Birch resigned from her position Tuesday. Her announcement came the same night the board was swearing in former trustee Damián Pantoja.

Manor Middle School was facing the possibility of a charter school partnership after getting “F” grades for several years in a row from the Texas Education Agency. Then, district and campus staff came up with a plan to raise the school’s grade.

Lindsey Surles is one of eight recipients of the Texas Cultural Trust’s First Year Teacher Grants and she is using the funds to defray the cost of a dance-focused tip for her students.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has reportedly told the leaders of the Texas House and Senate that lawmakers will be called back to Austin next week.

After sparring over the attorney general's impeachment, state lawmakers return to Austin next month for a special session focused on school vouchers. It could get messy.