Austin ISD: Board Locks In Five Legislative Priorities for 2027 Session
The district’s top demands center on full state funding for mandated programs, a new independent study of school finance costs, and a reformed accountability system.
By John Ferrari ·
Austin ISD trustees voted on October 29 to formally adopt the district’s legislative agenda for the 90th Texas Legislative Session. The approved document outlines five specific policy positions that the district will advocate for when lawmakers convene in January.
The first pillar addresses student success and financial support. The district argues that the state must provide full funding for all mandated programs, including school safety and security measures as well as special education services. This request seeks to close gaps in resources that currently fall on local districts to cover.
A second key priority calls for an independent study to determine the actual cost of meeting state standards for a high-quality education. The district wants this analysis to calculate the expenses required to maintain a strong public school system and prepare a capable workforce. This data would inform future budget allocations.
The financial priorities also target the recapture formula, commonly known as the Robin Hood plan. Austin ISD proposes updating school finance formulas to ensure a more equitable distribution of state resources. The goal is to increase the state’s share of funding while decreasing reliance on local property taxes. The plan aims to relieve pressure on property-wealthy districts and ensure local tax revenue stays in public classrooms.
Accountability reform constitutes another major component of the agenda. The district seeks to replace the current A-F rating system with a more balanced framework. This new system would recognize student populations with special needs, emergent bilingual learners, and those with cognitive disabilities. It would also reduce the weight of state standardized tests, limiting their impact to no more than 50 percent of the final rating. Other measures, such as College, Career and Military Readiness and workforce preparation, would be incorporated.
The final priority focuses on local governance. The district wants to protect the authority of elected school boards over district operations, elections, and facilities. The proposal aims to remove state-imposed barriers that limit local democratic decision-making and parental representation.
These priorities are not static. The district will refine the list after the latest statewide elections conclude. Individuals who wish to influence the final positions can apply to join the Austin ISD Advocacy Advisory Committee. The 90th Legislative Session is scheduled to begin on January 12, 2027.
