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Austin ISD enrollment decline could lead to 232 teacher layoffs

AISD Chief Business Officer Larry Throm provided an update on the district's enrollment numbers on Monday.
Austin ISD is facing a $51.4 million funding shortfall that could lead to hundreds of layoffs as a result of decreased enrollment amid the pandemic.
Two weeks into the school year, AISD's enrollment was 5,119 students fewer than it was at the same point last year, Chief Business Officer Larry Throm told the AISD board of trustees.
Because state funding is based on average daily attendance, this could have a serious impact on the district's finances.
Each student enrolled at AISD earns the district about $10,040 a year, Throm said. At that rate, the current enrollment will lead to a $51.4 million shortfall in the amount of state funding AISD receives.
To make up for this, Throm said the district will have to consider laying off as many as 232 teachers—which would lead to about $30 million in savings—as well as cutting costs elsewhere.
"We cannot save our way by letting teachers go," he said.
Throm holds out hope that enrollment number may increase in the next two weeks, as AISD reopens for limited in-person learning.
"We don't want to alarm anybody," he said. "These are facts."
AISD is not alone in reporting a declining enrollment.
"Our surrounding school districts as well as school districts throughout the United States and in Texas are in fact experiencing some concerns with enrollment," Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde said earlier this month.
Nearby school districts, such as Eanes ISD, as well as others across the state, including Houston ISD, Dallas ISD and San Antonio ISD, are also reporting declines.
It remains unclear where the missing students are going. Some may be members of home-based learning pods, enrolled in private school or skipping out altogether. Elizalde has also expressed optimism that once AISD returns to some measure of in-person learning, enrollment numbers will improve.
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Popular
Peyton and Eli Manning's nephew Arch Manning has committed to the University of Texas. (Arch Manning/Twitter)
Arch Manning, the latest prospect in the Manning football family and No. 1 recruit in the class of 2023, has committed to the University of Texas.
Manning is the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning and the son of Cooper Manning, a former wide receiver for Ole Miss. The Manning football legacy began with Archie Manning, Arch Manning's grandfather and namesake who played for the New Orleans Saints throughout the 1970s.
Committed to the University of Texas. #HookEmpic.twitter.com/jHYbjBaF5K
— Arch Manning (@ArchManning) June 23, 2022
Manning joins head Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian's program after a disappointing 5-7 first season. Manning, who has been the starting quarterback at New Orlean's Newman High School since he was a freshman, was the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, according to 247sports.
Manning had plenty of SEC suitors, including Georgia, Alabama and LSU, but committed to Texas after a recent visit to Austin.
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Austin-Bergstrom will soon have more private air developments through fixed-base operator Million Air. (Million Air Austin/Instagram)
Aptly-named air operator Million Air will soon be welcoming in more of Austin's wealthiest travelers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
More corporate executives will soon smoothly travel into the emerging tech hub in Austin thanks to the plan, which will add additional hangars near Million Air's current South Terminal location. The site plan, which was filed June 16, will take place on a 34-acre plot of land next to the current site.
Million Air first planted its roots at ABIA in 2019 with a $40 million project that included seven hangars totaling 120,000+ square feet and a private air terminal modeled after a Hill Country ranch home.
Exact details for the expansion remain unclear, and the project is under development review for utility development and environmental impact.
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