From The Texas Tribune · Austin Current · · 1m 30s
Austin's mayor bets on a parent petition
Kirk Watson found a rule that lets parents at two failing schools decide what the state does to Austin ISD.
In brief
Kirk Watson found a rule that lets parents at two failing schools decide what the state does to Austin ISD. If parents of a majority of students at Webb and Burnet sign a petition to close those schools by Oct. 15, the state commissioner is legally bound to do that instead of taking over the whole district. Originally…
A mayor's move to stay independent
Kirk Watson is pushing to close two chronically failing Austin middle schools so the state does not take the whole district. He cannot do it without parents.
Two schools hit five strikes
Webb and Burnet middle schools got preliminary fifth failing ratings from the Texas Education Agency for 2025-26. Five failing years triggers mandatory state intervention.
The commissioner picks the punishment
Austin ISD had until Sept. 11 to appeal. If a rating sticks, Education Commissioner Mike Morath decides whether to close schools or replace the elected board with managers.
The loophole in the code
State education code says if parents of a majority of enrolled students petition for closure, Morath must follow their request instead of taking over the district.
“Texas law gives the parents at Webb and Burnet a powerful voice.”
Two deadlines, no slack
A signed petition goes to Superintendent Matias Segura for validation by Oct. 15. He sends the validated copy to Morath by Dec. 1. Then the order is mandatory.
Austin is not alone
TEA already rejected the district's offer to hand three failing schools to an outside operator. More than a dozen Texas districts are near the same takeover trigger in 2027.
What matters most
If parents of a majority of students at Webb and Burnet sign a petition to close those schools by Oct. 15, the state commissioner is legally bound to do that instead of taking over the whole district.
