Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD) staff on Oct. 3 released a draft school consolidation plan that would close and consolidate multiple elementary and middle school buildings, change attendance boundaries and concentrate dual-language and specialized programs, a district community engagement staff member said.

Norma Garza, a member of Austin ISD's community engagement team, said the proposal aims to increase building utilization across the district from about 76% today to about 82% after the changes, short of the district’s optimal 85%–90% target. "Nuestra visión es simple pero poderosa, queremos que todas las familias tengan acceso a una excelente escuela en su vecindario," Garza said in the recorded presentation.

The draft, published Oct. 3, lays out criteria used to develop recommendations — building authorization, cost per student, building condition and contextual analyses — and a rubric focused on school-level mismatches such as underuse, overcrowding or poor facility condition. Garza said the district is combining work from its long-range plan, bond program and equity review with months of community feedback to craft the proposals.

Key elements in the draft:

- Closures and consolidations: The presentation lists multiple elementary and middle schools slated for closure or consolidation by attendance zone, with students to be reassigned based on home address. Garza said the district’s goal is to move as many students as possible from closing schools into a single receiving school, but acknowledged that complete, 100% fusions are not always possible.

- Program reassignments and additions: The plan would concentrate dual-language programs at a limited set of schools. Garza said four schools would be devoted to Spanish dual-language programs, one would offer Spanish and Mandarin and one school’s Montessori program would move to a different campus. The district projects adding about 590 seats related to the dual-language program changes.

- Middle and high schools: The draft proposes closing two middle schools and reassigning students to nearby campuses. High school building closures were not proposed; instead, the presentation focuses on boundary adjustments to address imbalances such as McCallum High being overcapacity and other campuses underutilized.

- Capacity goals: Garza said the district currently operates at roughly 76% average occupancy and that the draft would bring the district to about 82% occupancy. She described the district’s working target as 85%–90%.

- Staffing and human-resources timeline: The draft sets a timeline for staffing transitions: principals at schools slated to close would begin selection or reassignment in December 2025 and broader staffing or placement processes in January 2026. Garza said the district hires 600–700 staff annually and will prioritize employees from closing schools for openings rather than relying on outside hires beginning in January.

- Enrollment and family choices: Families will need to re-enroll; there is no automatic reassignment. Garza said families will have three options under the proposed plan: enroll at the newly zoned school, remain at their current school (subject to application/choice processes), or apply for a program transfer or general transfer. She warned that sibling placement will receive priority "but not [be] guaranteed," except where siblings are already enrolled.

- Transportation and eligibility: Garza said existing transportation eligibility rules would remain: students qualify for bus service if they live two or more miles from the assigned school or if a route is designated as unsafe. She added that students assigned to non-zoned (choice) programs would not be eligible for district-provided transportation under the draft.

Community engagement and timeline:

Garza listed public engagement opportunities and timing in the presentation: virtual meetings Oct. 14, Oct. 16 and Oct. 27; an in-person meeting with a virtual option on Nov. 8 at the Dell Jewish Community Center (presentation said "Dellco Center"); the district will accept public comments on the draft through Oct. 28. The Austin ISD board is scheduled to vote on a final plan on Nov. 20, per the presentation.

What remains discussion, direction and what is formal: The presentation is a staff proposal and not a board action. Garza and staff presented recommended closures, boundary maps and program placements for public review; the board will make any formal decision at a later date. The presentation includes neighborhood-by-neighborhood maps and suggested receiving schools, and Garza said staff will work with communities to manage transitions and honor school histories.

Where the plan may change: Garza said staff are reviewing roughly 1,700 public comment cards received so far and will consider adjustments before the board receives a final draft. She emphasized the district’s stated priorities: balance enrollment, minimize student impact and preserve program integrity.

Direct quotes in the presentation are from Norma Garza and appear verbatim in the district’s recorded materials. Garza concluded by encouraging families to review the draft and participate in the scheduled meetings and comment period.

The presentation materials and a recording of a board briefing were posted online; Garza directed families to "Austin ISD dot org slash consolidate" for maps, timelines and the comment form.