Current and Former AISD Trustees Candace Hunter and Noelita Lugo join Sharyn and Cuitlahuac to discuss how, in terms of academic accountability, finances, and instructional leadership Austin ISD is once again closing schools.

Trustee Candace Hunter returns to talk to Sharyn and Cuitlahuac about the Austin ISD proposed closures and consolidation plan.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac are joined by Lisa Bennett and Emily Germain, two parents with children at Maplewood and Sunset Valley elementary schools respectively, both schools on the closure list of Austin ISD's draft plan released October 3rd, to talk about how it feels to have their school targeted for closure, what their reaction is to a trustee who already came out against the plan, and what they would need to see as parents to move forward with this plan.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac respond to the public comments at the Sept 18 board information session and detail how Lone Star Governance has become the Party by telling trustees that whatever LSG holds to be student centered, is student centered. They also ask, can the superintendent even keep the promises he is making with regards to the scorecard and stadiums? Finally, just how low a bar can the district set?

Cuitlahuac and Sharyn talk about new policies the board recently passed, Lone Star Governance’s iron grip on the district, and Bryker Woods’ high-profile lobbying  to stay open. 

Former Trustee Noelita Lugo joins Lisa, Nadia, Sharyn, and Cuitlahuac to go over closure plans, literacy goals, special education compliance, the cell phone ban, and if the district is actually interested in community feedback.

Nikkie and Nadia join Sharyn and Cuitlahuac to review the rubric published by Austin ISD that will be used to formulate a consolodiations and closure plan this fall.

Sharyn and our panel of advocates, Nikkie, Nadia, and Lisa, share their takeaways from AISD's recent consolidation workshops: pleasant surprise, wat was missing, and they they way to see in the final plan.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac discuss why the leadership in Austin ISD cannot articulate a clear academic vision, whether it be pedagogical curriculum and instruction, or a baseline of offerings and programs that every parent can expect at any AISD school, as trustees vote to approve a budget, turnaround plans, and get an update on consolidations and closures.

Sharyn and Cuitlahuac cover a lot of topics including

-TEA Commissioner Mike Morath on curriculum and literacy

-Austin ISD Protesting at TEA Offices

-Turnaround Plans for 3 Middle School

-Consolidation and Closure Plans for the district

-Instruction Support for Special Education

-Budget Deficit

-Advanced Math at 6th Grade

-Community Meetings with Trustees

It's a long episode we hope you listen to as much as you can over as many listening sessions as you need.