AISD Delays Vote on Partnership with IDEA Charter Operators
The Austin Independent School District’s Board put off a controversial vote last night on whether to partner with a charter school operator from South Texas to run in-district college prep programs in East Austin.
Three board members took issue with the latest version of the proposed contract with IDEA Public Schools. Those three board members have been skeptical about partnering with the charter school. The board delayed a vote until next week. KUT's Nathan Bernier was at last night's meeting and reported dozens of people showed up to protest the IDEA charter proposal.
The board did vote last night to reject all bids from those interested in buying two AISD administrative centers, including district headquarters on West Sixth Street.
San Antonio Court to Hold Hearing on Texas Primaries
A three-judge federal panel’s meeting in San Antonio today to try to figure out the next steps for Texas’ March 2012 primaries. Friday the U.S. Supreme Court blocked interim state legislative and congressional district maps that were drawn by the San Antonio court. That has thrown Texas redistricting into legal limbo.
The original maps, drawn by the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature, are still being considered by another court in Washington. Those judges are looking at whether the state maps comply with the Voting Rights Act.
Meanwhile, candidates for the state house and senate, as well as the state's 36 congressional seats don’t know what maps they’re filing under. The San Antonio court is scheduled to discuss logistics such as timetables and candidate filing deadlines at its hearing today.
Lake Travis ISD Custodian on Leave Following Lockdown @ 2 Schools
Lake Travis ISD officials say the custodial worker who reported seeing a person with a gun at the Lake Travis Middle School campus has been placed on paid administrative leave. School officials say they don't have any information at this time to validate the employee's report.
The Travis County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the incident that led to a lock down at Lake Travis Middle School and Lake Travis High School on Friday. District officials say their campuses are safe and there's no reason to believe students or staff are in any danger.