Among a persistent funding deficit and declining enrollment numbers in Austin Independent School District (AISD), 11 elementary schools and two middle schools have been proposed to close. Bedichek and Martin Middle schools, as well as Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, Widen and Winn Montessori elementary schools are all on the closure plan. These closures would result in boundary changes for 98% of schools in the district to accommodate the fluctuation in student enrollment.
Some schools such as Sunset Valley Elementary support unique programs such as a Spanish immersion program, where elementary students are able to practice foreign language skills. The program includes wall to wall dual language practice, incorporating it into every school day. Sunset Valley is one of very few elementary schools in AISD that has a cheerleading team. The closure of this school would affect the students in these programs as the Spanish immersion program transfers to different campuses upon closure and the cheerleading program would not transfer to either of the new campus options. Parents have been given options of new schools to pick from, one including the Spanish immersion program, the other without it.
“My daughter is on the cheer team at Sunset Valley and was really hoping she’d get a position as captain next year when she goes into fifth grade,” Sunset Valley parent Christina McGee said. “The realization that next school year won’t look how she anticipated is quite upsetting to her.”
Even though the closure of these schools does not hold a heavy impact on Bowie enrollment itself, the community is being affected by the foreseeable closures and rezoning that comes along with them. Math teacher Peyton Bobo has three children, two elementary age who will have to change schools among the anticipated closures and rezoning.
“The school my kids currently attend is on track for them to feed into McCallum, and they will be redistricted to a school that will feed them into Anderson’s track,” Bobo said. “They’re both a bit stressed about the anticipated changes and having to make new friends.”
Elementary students across Austin would be shuffled around to different schools as a result of the closures. Even students attending a school that are not closing will face possible campus changes due to the rezoning that would be coming along with the closures. This is causing some emotional disruptions within families with younger kids. Although some parents remain optimistic about the change.
“My wife is a bit stressed about the change but I’m not,” Bobo said. “I think it’s a good thing, I’d rather my kids meet new friends now before they go off to middle school.”
Small parts of the former Bowie boundary have been rezoned to Crockett and Akins Early College High Schools. Bowie sits on the far East side of its boundary, so this rezoning means students who live very close to Bowie are still being rezoned to these other schools.
“The rezoning could change some students to attend less privileged schools,” junior Evan Dranguet said. “That could definitely affect the environment that they grow up in and the outcomes of how they grow up.”
The possibility of closure is affecting a large part of the Austin community, parents are weighing many different options and having to consider many factors.
“Ultimately we support the district in trying to keep itself alive by equalizing populations at different schools,” McGee said. “Although it’s a bummer that we’re caught up in the middle of it and got the hard end of the deal by having our school and community that we really love being broken up and closed.”
According to the Education X Podcast, On October 30, 2025 AISD board approved a $19 million loan to cover payroll till the end of November. While the board explained that cash flow in November is always tight, that slowdown has become more severe this year. This will cost the district approximately $250,000 of interest.
“Teachers should be paid more than what they are currently, so for AISD to have to borrow money to pay their current salaries I find it worrisome,” senior Piper Pombrio said. “Closing and redistricting will likely put more pressure on teachers and make it that much harder to do their jobs, these issues are worrisome and I hope staff and students are able to cope with these new changes.”
