Joslin Elementary School, home to the Austin school district's only trilingual dual language program, is facing a potential closure as officials address a significant budget deficit. Parents and community members are raising concerns that data on building conditions and enrollment fails to capture the unique value of the South Austin campus.
Key Takeaways
- Joslin Elementary offers the only program in the Austin Independent School District where students learn in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
- The school appeared on a list of campuses with low enrollment and poor facility conditions, sparking fears of closure.
- The district is undergoing a system overhaul to address a $19.7 million budget deficit, which will include school closures and boundary changes.
- Parents argue the district's data overlooks the school's diverse community and specialized programs, which serve students across South Austin.
A One-of-a-Kind Educational Model
At Joslin Elementary, first-grade students learn subtraction by counting on abacuses, guided by their teacher, Chien Chouy, in Mandarin. This scene is part of a dual language model where core subjects like math are taught in a non-English language to build fluency. Joslin is distinct within the Austin Independent School District (AISD) for its trilingual offerings.
Principal Chaolin Chang highlighted the school's unique position. "That's the beauty of Joslin," Chang explained. "We want to create a safe environment for them to try different things." The program allows students to be immersed in English, Spanish, and Mandarin, a feature that draws families from across the area.
For parents like Kristin Davis, whose child is in fourth grade, this program is invaluable. She believes the small campus size, with fewer than 300 students, fosters a supportive and welcoming atmosphere. “Joslin is important to our neighborhood but it's also important to all of South Austin if you want your kid to get a dual language education,” said Davis.
District Overhaul Sparks Closure Fears
Despite its unique offerings, Joslin Elementary's future is in doubt. The school was featured prominently in data released by AISD officials that will inform a major district overhaul. This restructuring includes changing school boundaries, updating transfer policies, and closing campuses to address a budget shortfall.
The data highlighted Joslin's low enrollment and the poor condition of its building. While district officials have stated the data is not a definitive closure list, its release caused immediate concern among parents. This anxiety is heightened by the fact that Joslin was on a list of 12 schools proposed for closure in 2019 before being spared.
Joslin Elementary Demographics
- Student Body: Under 300 students
- Economically Disadvantaged: 50%
- Hispanic Students: 50%
- Special Education Services: 23%
Parents argue these numbers don't tell the complete story. “Our school story is not being reflected in the numbers,” Davis said. “We have such an economically and culturally diverse campus.”
A Community's Fight for Its School
The anxiety at Joslin is mirrored across Austin, particularly in communities that have historically been affected by school closures. Parents and advocates worry that the district's decisions could once again disproportionately impact underserved populations.
The Parent Perspective
David Breeding, whose third-grade son has high special education needs, said the school provides a crucial sense of stability. He appreciates the district's effort at transparency but feels the quantitative data is missing essential context. “I am thankful they put out some numbers for transparency's sake so people like me could weigh in, but there's no narrative,” Breeding stated. “That story part is very important.”
This sentiment is shared by Andrew Rottas, a parent at Ridgetop Elementary, another school noted in the data. He hopes the district focuses on what makes schools successful rather than just the financial bottom line. “I am hopeful that the district is focusing on what works and what draws parents in and what will keep the district healthy and not just the bottom line,” Rottas said.
Financial Pressure and Difficult Decisions
AISD leaders maintain that change is a fiscal necessity. The district is facing a $19.7 million budget deficit, a figure reached only after using $45 million from one-time land sales. Last year, officials worked to reduce a $110 million deficit through cuts to central office staff, software programs, and other operational costs.
Superintendent Matias Segura has emphasized the need for action to ensure all schools are resourced properly.
“If we are going to resource all our schools appropriately, we need to find the funds to be able to do so,” Segura told reporters in August when discussing the need for closures.
The district plans to release its comprehensive proposal for closures and boundary changes in early October. A final vote by the board of trustees is scheduled for November 20. Segura has stressed the importance of making a decision before the holiday break to allow for a healthy transition process for affected students.
A History of School Closures in Austin
Discussions about closing schools are not new to Austin. In 2011 and 2017, proposals were withdrawn after significant community opposition. The most recent closures occurred in 2019, when four schools were shuttered. An internal equity audit later found that the 2019 process excluded affected communities and reinforced economic and racial segregation. This history has made many residents wary of the current process.
The Push for an Equitable Process
As the district moves forward, community advocates are calling for a more equitable approach that avoids repeating past mistakes. Historically, school closures in Austin and across the nation have tended to impact low-income communities and communities of color most severely.
Francis A. Pearman, an assistant professor of education at Stanford University, warns that data-driven decisions can perpetuate inequality. “Decisions where enrollment is the driving factor or achievement is the driving factor... those approaches are the very approaches which end up reproducing inequities,” Pearman said.
Advocates in East Austin, a community heavily impacted by the 2019 closures, are watching closely. Barbara Spears-Corbett, president of the Original L.C. Anderson Alumni Association, noted that disparities in enrollment and facilities are often the result of historical underinvestment. “How do we erase that I-35 divide?” she asked, referencing the highway that has long served as a racial and economic dividing line in the city.
Superintendent Segura, who was involved in the 2019 process as the district's operations officer, has said he learned from that experience and is committed to equitable decision-making. The district has pledged to consider qualitative feedback from surveys and community meetings, not just facility and enrollment data.
For parents like Kristin Davis, the fight for Joslin Elementary is just beginning. As the district prepares to release its plan, she and other families intend to remain engaged to protect the school they believe is a vital asset to their community. "The school," she said, "is really important in our lives."
