On June 18, the Austin Independent School District announced a central office reorganization that will affect 170 employees’ jobs and pay. UT students who want to work for the district after graduation expressed concerns about the reorganization’s implications for public education, despite the fact that the move will save the district $9.6 million.
Rising costs, dwindling enrollment, and stagnant state revenue are the main causes of AISD’s more than $100 million budget deficit. The district website states that there are 25,000 vacant student seats as a result of this shortage. The AISD Fiscal Year 2025-26 Proposed Budget calls for a significant reorganization of responsibilities, reporting structures, and departmental alignment in the central office, which encompasses positions in administration, human resources, and finance.
In a statement released on June 18, AISD Superintendent Matias Segura said, “This restructuring is just one step in a series of difficult conversations and decisions that must be made to ensure our district remains stable and we can maintain our ability to offer the highest quality education.”
Segura stated that although there were attempts to lower the deficit for the 2025–2026 academic year, the savings were outweighed by expenses for special education and school improvement. Segura said in a May 23 statement that the upgrades were initially intended to be a multi-year reorganization process. But because of the urgency, the process was streamlined into a single step, Segura writes. The proposed budget states that the modifications would take effect on August 1.
“We remain committed to our shared mission and to each and every one of our staff members who serve with dedication and integrity, even though these decisions are motivated by financial necessity,” Segura stated.
According to former AISD student teacher Meka Foster, administration has a say in how classroom data is interpreted and policies are established, both of which have an impact on the classrooms. “The changes raise resource concerns,” she added.
According to Foster, a senior in UT English, the students are ultimately the ones who suffer. There is a significant disconnect for these pupils as they receive pre-made curricula and replacement teachers during those layoffs.
Similar to Foster’s issues, Sandra Fuentes, a junior at UT studying early childhood teaching, expressed concern about her ability to adequately support her future kids.
Fuentes remarked, “It’s crumbling little by little.” We’ll see, but I’m hoping it improves over time.
Both Fuentes and Foster stated that they still intend to teach in AISD after graduation, despite the uncertainty. According to both, teaching is something they want to do for the pupils, not the money.
Foster stated that education is going through a difficult period. Give them grace; people are doing what they think is best.
