AISD budget hearing tonight

The Austin Independent School District will hold a virtual public meeting on its proposed budget and tax rate for the 2020-21 school year today. Those who would like to comment must call 512-414-0130 between 7:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. today, where they will be able to record 60-second remarks that will be aired during the meeting. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on AISD.TV and the AISD Facebook page. This year, among other budget issues the board will consider, the Austin Justice Coalition has issued a call to:

• Divest from strategies that contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline, including excessive funding for school police departments;
• Reallocate funds to district-wide implementation of culturally responsive restorative practices;
• Publish AISD Police Department budget information online;
• Publish AISD Police Department policies and data, especially use-of-force policy data, online;
• Develop key performance indicators for AISD Police Department, and hosting an annual Board Work Session for status updates;
• Publish School Safety and Security Committee information online.