Austin ISD considers charter partnerships for three middle schools amid state takeover risk and deadlines

Decision expected by late January as accountability clock advances

Austin ISD trustees are weighing whether to seek state-approved charter partnerships to operate Dobie, Webb and Burnet middle schools, a move district leaders say could reduce the risk of state intervention tied to campus accountability ratings.

The discussion comes as the district faces a high-stakes threshold in Texas’ accountability system: if any of the three campuses earns a fifth failing rating after this year’s standardized testing, state action could include campus closure or a takeover of the entire district that replaces elected trustees with a state-appointed board of managers.

Why these three campuses are at the center of the debate

District leaders told trustees that internal reviews and outside analysis of student performance point to academic improvement at the campuses, including reported growth in reading and math for some grades. At the same time, administrators said the projected pace of improvement may not be sufficient to change the accountability outcome quickly enough to avoid the next step in the state’s escalation timeline.

In the board discussion, trustees highlighted recent gains while also raising concerns about how quickly decisions would have to be made, given state timelines and the need for communication with families and staff.

How the charter partnership process would work

If trustees vote to pursue the partnerships, the district would submit an application for a state-approved arrangement that allows a charter operator to run the campuses. Under such partnerships, certain functions can remain with the district, while campus-level instructional decisions shift to the charter partner.

The superintendent said Texas could take up to 60 days to approve, deny or request more information on an application, with a decision expected no later than the end of May. Trustees discussed a vote on Jan. 29 and a state “priority” deadline of Jan. 31. If the district moves forward, trustees could later vote in February on which operator would run each campus.

• Potential board action: Jan. 29
• State “priority” deadline discussed: Jan. 31
• State review window described: up to 60 days
• State decision timeframe described: no later than the end of May

What state law could change for the campuses

Texas law enacted in 2017 allows certain district-charter partnerships to pause accountability ratings at participating campuses for two school years. In this case, district leaders said the pause would apply for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years if the application is approved and the partnership begins as required.

Community concerns: staffing stability and campus programs

Families and trustees raised questions about the practical effects of shifting control, including teacher retention and how campus programs could be affected. A Dobie parent interviewed outside the campus described mixed feelings, citing dissatisfaction with current results while also expressing concern that a charter transition could lead to additional staff turnover.

“If the state has a plan that will actually be good for the kids, go for it, but if it is going to be worse than what they have now, might as well leave them as they are.”

District leaders said the board would evaluate potential operators based on factors such as past staffing stability, collaboration with existing administrators and alignment with district expectations.