Urgent: Austin ISD School Closures Spark Outrage Among Parents

UPDATE: Community outrage is escalating as the Austin Independent School District (AISD) announces controversial plans to close schools and redraw attendance zones, impacting thousands of families immediately. Parents are expressing deep concern over the potential reassignment of their children to schools with significantly lower performance ratings.

One parent shared their frustration online, stating, “We were formerly Zilker and now proposed to be rezoned to Galindo Elementary.” At Zilker, an impressive 92% of students read at or above grade level, while Galindo reports only 59%. Many families, like this one, chose their homes based on the school’s reputation, and now feel betrayed by the district’s decisions.

As AISD prepares to close Barrington Elementary, some students will be reassigned to high-performing Guerrero Thompson, where 76% of kids read proficiently. However, many others will instead be redirected to Wooldridge Elementary, which has a dismal reading proficiency of just 42%. This inequitable distribution of educational opportunities has sparked a firestorm of anger among parents.

The situation reflects a broader national issue where school closures and zoning decisions create “winners and losers” among children based solely on their residential address. Families feel pressured to purchase homes in expensive areas for access to quality education, igniting frustration and despair.

Historically, this pattern mirrors the discriminatory practices of redlining, where neighborhoods were marked as “desirable” or “hazardous.” For example, the boundary along Manor Road in the Cherrywood neighborhood has been a dividing line for decades, impacting children’s education based on where they live. Families south of this boundary are assigned to Campbell Elementary, a D-rated school with only 78% reading proficiency, while those to the north attend Maplewood Elementary, rated A with 85% proficiency.

Critics argue that AISD’s current zoning plans perpetuate systemic inequities. Tim DeRoche, founder of Available to All, advocates for a reformed system that abolishes traditional assignment maps and allows for centralized enrollment. “Every child should have an equal chance at quality education,” he emphasized.

In response to community outcry, AISD officials are under pressure to reconsider their strategy. Alternative models, like the open-enrollment system implemented in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, have shown promise. New Orleans abolished strict attendance zones, allowing families to apply to any school within the district, leading to increased student performance and graduation rates.

As the situation develops, parents are left anxiously awaiting AISD’s next steps. Will the district heed the voices of frustrated families, or will the changes proceed as planned, further entrenching educational inequities in the community?

Parents and advocates are calling for immediate action, urging AISD to implement a fairer system that prioritizes educational equity over geographic boundaries. The outcome of this conflict could reshape the educational landscape for countless families in Austin—making it a critical issue to watch in the coming days.

Stay tuned for updates as the community continues to voice its concerns, and AISD prepares to respond to this urgent situation.