District mulls plan to close some Austin schools

Austin school district administrators are hammering out the details of a plan to close some schools and consolidate others. No specific schools have yet been named for closure, though the district will likely target historically under-enrolled schools. By doing so, AISD hopes to close its yawning deficit by as much as $55 million over the next several years. AISD Superintendent Paul Cruz is quick to emphasize that the overarching goal of the school closure plan, which he aims to have approved by the board this month and finalized by summer, is to give students the benefits of renovated facilities. “It’s (about) having 21st-century learning spaces for our kids,” Cruz said. “Making sure they are in fully modernized high-tech environments, because we believe that’ll prepare them for their futures.” Read more here.