AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- We're getting a better look at what Austin ISD trustees will consider as they try to solve a $181 million budget shortfall for the 2026-27 school year.
AISD Superintendent Mattias Segura, in a letter to the district community released Wednesday, called the effort to confront the gap a "monumental task."
Under the proposal, 558 positions would be directly impacted. Some of those would come from vacant positions, but some employees - particularly non-certified staff - may see some layoffs. Affected employees with a teaching certification are guaranteed an alternative placement, Segura wrote.
Some employees will see reduced work days and suspended or reduced stipends. Campus support roles will also be impacted, including shared librarians and part-time assistant principals. The district will also move away from a 1:1 student-to-device technology model in order to reduce student screen time.
"Because over 88% of our budget is invested directly in our people, it is mathematically impossible to address a deficit of this size without impacting positions," Segura wrote.
Other actions the district is looking at taking include:
- Selling or monetizing four properties to generate $60 million in one-time cash.
- Implementing $17 million in forced reductions to central department budgets.
- Generate $31 million in savings as the school year begins by intentionally leveling in order to align the campus supports with enrollment. This can largely be achieved by moving staff to vacancies throughout our system. Additional reductions will be identified through department reorganizations and normal staff departures (attrition).
