The Austin Independent School District (AISD) informed parents on Wednesday that twelve schools might face closure due to receiving a third F-rating from the state. The district is also contemplating a “restart” approach for these campuses, which could necessitate replacing much of the core teaching staff.
Superintendent Matias Segura’s letter indicated that eleven more schools must devise similar turnaround strategies because they received a second unacceptable rating, while nine schools need to develop a “targeted improvement plan” after their first F-rating.
These considerations come as AISD has already initiated “disruptive” restarts at three low-performing schools—Burnet, Dobie, and Webb Middle Schools—all receiving a fourth F-rating from the state in August.
These measures coincide with efforts to discern which of its 116 schools should close to help cut costs and reduce the district’s $19 million deficit. In early October, the board will review preliminary plans for school consolidations and improvements. Votes on the turnaround and closure plans are scheduled for November 9 and November 20, respectively.
Three years’ worth of F-ratings were only disclosed recently, as court cases delayed the Texas Education Agency’s release of accountability scores. Lawsuits argued the state’s failure to notify schools about changes in rating calculations, delaying public understanding of schools’ performance.
In cases of five consecutive F-ratings, Texas law allows the Education Commissioner to intervene by appointing a superintendent and a temporary board. Superintendent Segura emphasized the importance of improving support for struggling schools to avoid state takeover.
The district will meet with staff at the twelve schools with three consecutive Fs this week. Significant staffing changes are underway for the 2025-26 school year at Burnet, Dobie, and Webb, retaining only certified teachers with proven student growth.
The district indicated that large percentages of the teaching staff at these schools will not return next year, necessitating reassignment or resignation for those not meeting the new standards. Austin ISD is also relocating qualified teachers from other campuses to fill gaps in underperforming schools.
