Austin ISD Special Education Matters

05/01/2019

An Austin school district advisory committee tasked with finding ways to cut millions of dollars in spending is recommending the district close up to 15

27/12/2018

Enrollment in the Austin Independent School District has been on a six-year slide with no end in sight. Consequently, the number of teachers has been steadily decreasing. During the same period, however, the number of administrators, the highest paid group of professionals in the district, has held....

27/12/2018

We advocate for the education rights of all Texas students: IDEA, Section 504, mediations

15/12/2018

TPIA request #1 submitted today (12/15/18):

Dear Austin ISD Open Records,

Please produce any and all documents that show or reflect information related to reduction of special education offerings and/or budget. The timeframe of this request: 17-18 and 18-19 school years.

Responsive documents include but are not limited to:

— notes taken or received by any of following: board member(s), AISD staff, employees, administrators, consultants, and/or the public during board meetings or any other time,

— communications (emails, texts, notes or other) between and among AISD board member(s), AISD staff, employees, administrators, consultants, and/or the public,

— reports and/or data created and/or received by any of following: board member(s), AISD staff, employees, administrators, consultants, and/or the public during board meetings or any other time,

Please remind those who are subject to the Texas Public Information Act that all records related to official district business are responsive including those created or received on personal devices such as home computers and cell phones.

If any responsive information is confidential by law, please contact me so we can work together to avoid the cost and delay of an OAG opinion.

As an Education Advocate for children with disabilities, I request a waiver of any fees associated with this request because production of this information is in the “public interest” and “will primarily benefit the general public”. As a native Austinite, I know that Austin, Texas citizens and taxpayers want all children to access and succeed in our public schools.

“C. Waivers or Reduction of Estimated Charges
If a governmental body determines that producing the information requested is in the “public interest” because it will primarily benefit the general public, the governmental body shall waive or reduce the charges.194”

Thank you,

Dianna Pharr
Texas Education Advocacy LLC
1414 Preston Avenue
Austin, Texas 78703

Link:

https://www.statesman.com/news/20181211/austin-isd-proposes-closing-12-schools-among-55m-in-cuts

• Reducing special education offerings: $1 million

Austin school district officials are proposing closing 12 schools, among other cost savings that total $55.1 million, as the district faces a deficit for

15/12/2018

Austin ISD:
Stop, Look, Listen

We are watching.

If you’re planning to binge-watch some Christmas movies this holiday season, keep the tissues handy.Microsoft’s newest national commercial,

14/12/2018

Join me. Let's follow the money as Austin ISD cuts supports and services for students with disabilities.

Dianna Pharr

ISSUE:

• Reducing special education offerings: $1 million

• Eliminating historic property tax exemption: $1 million

Austin school district officials are proposing closing 12 schools, among other cost savings that total $55.1 million, as the district faces a deficit for the third year in a row.