Mayor Watson urges parents to petition to close two failing AISD middle schools to avert state takeover

September 10, 2026

Mayor Kirk Watson used his weekly newsletter to encourage parents at Burnet and Webb middle schools to seek campus closures after both campuses earned a fifth straight F on state accountability ratings. Watson framed the petition route as a way for families to exercise control over the future of those schools instead of having the state replace district leadership.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath can respond to five consecutive failing grades in two ways: appoint a new superintendent and a board of managers for Austin ISD, or close the failing campuses. State law requires the commissioner to close a campus if a majority of its parents submit a written petition requesting closure, with the petition first validated by the superintendent by October 15 and then forwarded to the commissioner by December 1.

Watson said AISD has shown districtwide improvement, noting its first B rating in four years and an increase in A and B campuses alongside a drop in D and F campuses, based on AISD data. He told parents they would need to trust Superintendent Matias Segura to develop a plan that supports students if the campuses are reorganized or reopened under a new structure.

Parents and community members have previously resisted school closures in AISD. Last November the district closed 10 schools amid a budget shortfall and later announced one additional closure shortly before the school year, moves that drew opposition from families, students and educators at affected campuses.

A Burnet parent who spoke with KUT said many families have worked to keep the school open and support students, but cited turnover among principals and teachers and low parent participation as ongoing challenges. That parent said she was not aware Burnet had received a fifth F and is considering transferring her child to another district.

A new Burnet Middle School building, funded at $158 million, is under construction, and Watson suggested the facility could be used to maintain campus communities rather than dispersing students across other schools. Watson said he plans further discussions with AISD leaders and may seek talks with state officials, urging Morath to allow the district time to implement a plan and show progress.

AISD officials have an upcoming deadline to appeal the state ratings, and the state could announce a takeover as early as December. During a takeover, state appointees would have authority to make districtwide changes including closing schools, altering the budget, reassigning staff and changing academic programs, without being required to take community feedback into account.