AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin ISD trustees voted Thursday night to approve a plan to immediately close Paredes Middle School in South Austin, forcing the reassignment of nearly 850 students to neighboring campuses just weeks before the start of the new school year.
Under the plan approved in a 7-2 vote, students previously assigned to Paredes will be rezoned to either Bailey or Mendez Middle Schools based on their home addresses.
According to superintendent Matias Segura, the abrupt closure is the result of severe staffing shortages and persistent academic struggles. Paredes received its third consecutive unacceptable rating from the Texas Education Agency following the 2024-25 school year, and district leaders are expecting a fourth when TEA releases the 2025-26 ratings next month.
Segura also noted that the campus had the highest number of staff vacancies of any school in the district.
"The absolute thing that has to be in place for our students to be successful is to have educators in the classroom who love our students, support our students, but understand how to use the resources that we have, to support the growth that needs to be observed in the classroom," Segura said.
The decision drew strong, emotional reactions from the community and even frustration from trustees. During Thursday’s public comment period, students and parents expressed deep disappointment over the sudden transition.
The closure still requires final approval from the TEA, though district officials noted they do not yet know when the agency will issue its official response.
