“61,000 calls to AISD parents and guardians on budget cuts”

61,000 calls to AISD parents and guardians on budget cuts

Posted: 10 Dec 2010 04:14 PM PST

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by ANDREW HORANSKY/ KVUE News

kvue.com

Posted on December 10, 2010 at 6:10 PM

Updated today at 6:10 PM

Sixty-one thousand phone calls are now going out to parents and guardians of students in the Austin Independent School District. In them, Superintendent Meria Carstarphen is heard saying that "Austin ISD faces a significant budget deficit going into the new school year." She then directs listeners to an online survey where they can weigh in on budget cuts.

"People in Austin are very passionate about their child's education," said AISD spokesman Andy Welch. "That is why we think it's important to survey parents, to survey the community."

District officials blame their financial fix in part on declining tax revenue, fewer federal funds, and unprecedented enrollment. They estimate their shortfall is between $40 million and $100 million. They know that cuts could have an impact on many people.

"Certainly if you're a magnet school parent, certainly if you're a special needs parent, certainly if you are a secondary teacher with two planning periods, certainly if you have kids involved in band or athletics," Welch said, "it is an emotional issue."

Mother Linda Wiggins sends her four-year-old son to Pillow Elementary. Her big fear is that the district will someday have fewer teachers.

"The less teachers you have the more the classes are going to get bigger," Wiggins said. "That is probably my main concern."

Parent Pam Schumacher is simply concerned about the future of her seven-year-old son with physical and intellectual disabilities. She hopes he will not have to one day enroll in regular classes.

"He can do most things half-way," she said. "But he needs extra help."

Community meetings will resume next year. The new budget should be approved by early next summer.

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