Resolution from the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Committee

A member of the East Cesar Chavez neighborhood committee just sent me word that they voted to oppose school closures. You can read their resolution in its entirety below. We would love to see every neighborhood in Austin pass resolutions opposing closing Austin schools.

Save Our Schools!

WHEREAS, the AISD facilities task force that has recommended closing nine Central and East Austin schools with no consideration towards community impact or academic achievement; and

WHEREAS, studies have shown a direct relationship between parental engagement and the distance to their child’s school and that this relationship is critical in  low-income communities where parents transportation options are limited; and

WHEREAS, maintaining quality public education in the central city is key to maintaining diversity and mitigating the impact of gentrification; and

WHEREAS, neighborhood schools contribute to the walkability of a neighborhood and the goal of encouraging infill development in the urban core as a way to limit urban sprawl; and

WHEREAS, the Texas State Comptroller released the Financial Allocation Study for Texas (FAST) intended to identify cost-effective practices that promote academic progress in 2010, yet AISD does not seem to be focusing on implementing any of the 20 recommendations and in fact is considering closing one of only two AISD campuses that received a five-star rating for cost effectiveness;

NOW, THEREFORE;
BE IT RESOLVED that the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Plan opposes the task force recommendation that Barton Hills Elementary, Brooke Elementary, Joslin Elementary, Oak Springs Elementary, Ortega Elementary, Pease Elementary, Sanchez Elementary, Zilker Elementary, Pearce Middle School be closed in the name of efficiency and that we encourage the AISD school board look to more effective ways of reducing the budget while maintaining educational excellence.