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that’s right @KUT I’m here at Lee Lewis Campbell Elementary. Under the current @AustinISD proposal, the school could welcome students from Maplewood (if Maplewood closes.) 
the general Q&A should get started about 6:30; until then, you can catch up on ALL the other meetings @AustinISD has held to this point right here: kut.org/post/austin-is…
there was also a meeting this morning at Dawson Elementary; @sangitamenon has you all covered here:
@KUT @AustinISD AISD: Wherever you are in this situation, this is an opportunity for AISD to hear where you are coming from and to learn more about the process.
Says this is the largest group at a meeting they've seen yet.
Says this is the largest group at a meeting they've seen yet.
@KUT @AustinISD There are people here tonight from Campbell, Maplewood and Blackshear Elementary. If Maplewood closes, students could also choose to attend Blackshear.
@KUT @AustinISD Speaker: This school has been so significant in my grandchildren's life. It's about the kids and staff. It's about collaborating and finding a solution.
@KUT @AustinISD Parent: We got together a few weeks ago and there was a lot of feedback given to AISD. Can you say what feedback was implemented into the process since that meeting? Does AISD not have the capacity to implement feedback immediately?
@KUT @AustinISD AISD: We are receiving feedback from so many communities and there can be a lot of viewpoints. We want to collect all of it before making any decision.
@KUT @AustinISD AISD: The Digital Arts program will stay at Campbell, not moving to Blackshear. @AISDSupt says this change DID come as a result of feedback they've received.
@KUT @AustinISD @AISDSupt Parent: Is there a 2.0 version of this plan? When will we see it? Will there be more versions?
@KUT @AustinISD @AISDSupt AISD: @AISDSupt We want to wait and engage our communities to capture feedback. After discussions with the board, we'll develop, refine, and release an updated plan.
@KUT @AustinISD @AISDSupt Parent: I have many concerns with this problem, mainly the academic achievement gap. My expectation is that AISD will be the game changer. But why are taking a small school like Campbell and overloading it? 25-30 students in a classroom makes it tougher for a student to connect.
@KUT @AustinISD @AISDSupt AISD: We do care about performing at high levels and closing those gaps for our students. Says class size will not exceed 22 (up to fourth grade.)
@KUT @AustinISD @AISDSupt Speaker: If we're going to close Maplewood, we need to have a very good reason. But why does this have to happen so fast? This does not need to happen by November. Now is not the time.
@KUT @AustinISD @AISDSupt Parent: I brought my son here for the Media and Arts program, so I'm glad it's staying. Will the Maplewood program join the Campbell program?
@KUT @AustinISD @AISDSupt AISD: We already have processes in place (like seniority.) However, it's not clear cut and hasn't happened exactly the same in every scenario.
Parent: I'm a third-generation Campbell parent. Have we not learned anything from the past?
*this brought more than half the crowd to their feet in applause*
*this brought more than half the crowd to their feet in applause*
Parent: We choose Campbell. What's happening with transfers?
AISD: There would be no need to re-transfer.
Maplewood teacher: I have questions about Title I status. One of the first positions eliminated at Campbell will be parent support specialists. I would like that addressed.
AISD: We are already looking at how we can fund those parent support specialists through other options. We already use part of district funds to pay for this.
Parent: These are not equitable changes. Did AISD consider saying "we have to make hard decisions and close schools" rather than doing this under the guise of equity?
Parent: Why are these (mainly East Side) schools being closed? Other schools had lower building assessment scores but they're not closing. How is this equity?
Parent: I'm not an expert, but the plan looks like structured discrimination? East Side schools have been undeserved, we need to build them up. It concerns me that we haven't learned our lesson. We need better programming from AISD like the West Side schools.
Cont: New schools are great, but you need a lot more than that. And that doesn't seem equitable to me.
Parent: If these plans don't go through, what is AISD's plan for committing to these two schools? (Maplewood and Campbell)
Parent: For all the schools consolidating and closing, our communities will be going through something intense. It's gonna take time.
What we want to know is that our kids can thrive, will have good student-to-teacher ratios, etc.
What we want to know is that our kids can thrive, will have good student-to-teacher ratios, etc.
Cont: Can AISD make a historic investment in these communities? They deserve that.
Cont: Slow down. This is too much, too fast.
The truth is it seems like there isn't much data on closures and consolidations. If you do it, why not do a couple of schools over a couple years?
The truth is it seems like there isn't much data on closures and consolidations. If you do it, why not do a couple of schools over a couple years?
AISD: Part of our plan is to re-invest in our schools. Consolidation brings together resources that can be utilized.
Re: timing. We are doing this in phases. Can't do it in one year. We have to see which are the right ones with potential. There are other needs.
Re: timing. We are doing this in phases. Can't do it in one year. We have to see which are the right ones with potential. There are other needs.
AISD: We could NOT do this in one year. Doing this in phases has always been the plan. We have to be thoughtful and implement lessons learned, and be responsible.
Speaker: Why is STEM programming only available on the West Side of Austin?
AISD: There will be future openings that would bring this kind of programming to the East Side.
Parent: How do we make sure kids from the East Side get to take advantage of those opportunities?
Speaker: Diversity of staff is important. What is AISD doing to diversify its staff?
Speaker: This is a momentous decision. This whole process is moving so swiftly, we need to consider past mistakes. This is far too important. This decision needs to be made in November; have we taken the time to fully consider this?
Cont: I was one of the first African-American alumnus of Campbell to attend UT. So many lives will be impacted. Can't you slow this down? This is too rushed for the importance of the matter.
and one minute after 8 o'clock, this meeting ends.
Someone shouts: Was your question answered?
Crowd: NO!
Shouts: AISD do you hear that?
Crowd: NO! (then they laughed)
Someone shouts: Was your question answered?
Crowd: NO!
Shouts: AISD do you hear that?
Crowd: NO! (then they laughed)
thanks for joining me tonight, you can hear more tomorrow on Morning Edition on @KUT
also, BIG shouts to @ClaireMcInerny for doing this work day in and day out. much respect, Claire. and happy birthday!
also, BIG shouts to @ClaireMcInerny for doing this work day in and day out. much respect, Claire. and happy birthday!
