Austin ISD Proposes 13 School Closures for 2026–27

Austin ISD released a draft consolidation plan that would close 13 campuses (11 elementary and two middle schools) for the 2026–27 school year to address a roughly $19.7 million budget shortfall and steep enrollment declines of about 10,000 students over the past decade. The proposal would redraw attendance boundaries for about 98% of district schools—potentially affecting roughly one-quarter of students—and is projected to save about $25.6 million primarily through staffing and facility consolidations. Several campuses would be repurposed as non-zoned special program sites, including campus-wide dual-language programs and a districtwide Montessori, with International High School continuing as a program at Navarro ECHS. The district outlined transfer rounds and “grandfathering” rules for currently enrolled students and said the changes are intended to rebalance enrollment, improve feeder patterns, meet TEA turnaround requirements for low-performing campuses, and avoid possible state intervention while reassigning staff where possible. Parents, staff and the teachers’ union have responded with anger, sadness and calls to slow the process, criticizing potential displacement and threats to neighborhood schools, and the board will hold public meetings before a final vote scheduled for Nov. 20. Supporters say the plan stabilizes district finances and resources, while critics warn it could deepen community divisions and unevenly impact low-income and emergent bilingual students.