Austin ISD X Podcast

We hear from newly elected Austin ISD Trustee Candace Hunter as she shares her experience and journey from classroom teacher to board member. Emily and Cuitlahuac also give their analysis of the election results including the historic Austin ISD bonds. And we weigh in on the news that Interim Superintendent Dr. Anthony Mays will be leaving the district sooner than expected. 

Cuitlahuac makes his picks for the Austin ISD Trustee elections and why you should vote for all three Austin ISD bond proposals. There are only a few days of early voting left, and of course Election Day. Give this short episode a listen, share it with your friends, and get out and vote.

Candace, Emily & Cuitlahuac are joined by special education services advocate Lisa Flores to discuss the Austin ISD discipline data presented to the trustees as part of the superintendent scorecard during the first board meeting of September. What can Austin ISD do to stop disproportionately discipling Black students? Did the district meet its goal when it comes to disciplining students with disabilities, or are campuses using "shadow discipline" to improve their data? What purpose do police on campus serve and what impact are they having? While this conversation about discipline in schools starts by focusing on the the Austin Independent School District, its goes over issues of students safety in schools that are important to everyone.

We understand that voting for a Bond is a complex and individual process. We felt that the last 4 minutes of S3 E3 deserved to be heard again and on its own. 

In this episode Emily and Candace analyze the June 23 Austin ISD Budget Hearing and Regular Board meeting; providing commentary and asking the questions that have yet to be answered around the essential areas redesign, district partner accountability, and the way forward.

Join the AISDXP team as they reflect on the interim Superintendent selection process, how the process can be improved, as well as the path forward for the community.

Join Cuitlahuac, Candace, and Emily as they take a look at three of the major issues facing the Austin Independent School district: Essential Areas redesign, selection of an interim superintendent, and the budget. 

I recently got intwined in the snarl that is Austin ISD communication. I attempted to make a public comment based on the requirements on the website and the outgoing instructional recording. However I was informed today that the language is incorrect and my comments do not meet the threshold to be played. Lesson learned; all my future comments will be made in person. Below is the social media post I made along with the recording of my public comment.

@Austin ISD has chosen opacity over transparency. I made a public comment based on the website (now changed see original below) and outgoing message original recorded here along with the comment you will NOT hear this evening. I was informed the process has changed; therefore my call did not meet the requirement. This only further supports the lack of communication within the district itself and with the community.

Candace shares all the feels as Austin ISD moves to optional masking beginning Monday March, 7; the week before Spring Break and SXSW.

The AISDXP team commiserates with our co-host, Emily, a parent at Martin and attempts to analyze and reflect on the Austin ISD's decision to remove 6th grade from  two Eastside middle schools and the community engagement around the decision. 

Austin ISD Q & A on the change:

https://fb.watch/bnvMyKRmMi/ (English)

https://fb.watch/bnvQAOTo9i/ (Spanish)

Candace looks at how stressful it is educating kids, and how the district can start to heal itself and the community.

The AISDXP team talks Covid, scheduling (7/8), community engagement, long range planning and feeder patterns. Accompany resource can be found at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O0kbzhSN3iNDUKoZO9KUnxBO7qJ7_TReKwDO14kxmFQ/edit?usp=sharing 

This week Candace prepares to take her 7th grader to the High School Fair in the hope of finding a program aligned to her daughter's current course of study in Digital Arts.

Basic breakdown of Period Scheduling and lots of questions.

In an attempt to provide clarification for the community Austin ISD publishes Myth Buster posts. However this only served to increase the chasm between administration and some district families.

This BlogCast captures Candace's thoughts about the Austin ISD Middle School Fair on 11/13/21.

In this Blog Cast Candace shares some thoughts around middle school magnet/arts academy programing and its impact on neighborhood schools.

Candace and Cuitlahuac get the download on upcoming board officer elections and why they're important from Paul Saldaña, former Austin ISD trustee, businessman, advocate, and philanthropist. Listen to find out our choice for AISD Board President, Vice President, and Secretary. 

Candace and Cuitlahuac break down the comments made by Austin ISD Trustee Rev. Dr. Jayme Mathias towards the district's equity office, his subsequent nonpology, and statements made by Board President Geronimo Rodriguez and Trustee LaTisha Anderson.