State agency reviews how Austin parents signed school closure petitions

The Texas Education Agency is currently examining a formal complaint regarding the signature collection process for petitions to close Burnet and Webb middle schools. Officials at the agency confirmed the review on Oct. 26, noting that they assess each complaint to determine necessary next steps. The agency did not specify if this review will impact the district's deadline to validate the petitions by Dec. 1.

The petitions were submitted by parents of students at two schools that received a fifth consecutive failing rating on Aug. 14. Under state rules, this rating requires the commissioner to close the campuses or replace the elected school board unless a majority of enrolled parents sign a petition to keep the schools open. The two petitions aim to prevent the state from assuming control of Austin Independent School District.

The complaint was filed by The Webb Middle School PTA, led by President Vanessa Gámez and communications representative Valeria Gonzales. They allege that the petition effort was not initiated by Webb parents and that outside individuals pressured families to sign without fully understanding the document. The PTA requested that the agency identify who organized the effort and review questioned signatures before counting them. They also raised concerns that private family information was shared with outsiders.

Superintendent Matias Segura told families in an Oct. 19 letter that initial counts showed both schools exceeded the required threshold of 50% of enrolled students. The state uses Oct. 30 enrollment figures to set this number, and signatures from students who withdraw before that date do not count. The district has not released the specific signature totals, and the Austin Council of PTAs has also kept its numbers private.

The Austin Council of PTAs, known as ACPTA, stated its role was to share information about the petition and potential state interventions. President Crystal Brothwell Hernandez described recent gatherings as lunch-and-learn advocacy sessions. She said the decision to sign belonged to each family, although she did not clarify who authorized meetings held with students without teachers present. ACPTA has not taken a formal position for or against the petitions.

District officials said they shared directory information through a standing partnership agreement, which allows contact details to be shared for educational purposes. An AISD spokesperson said district teams engaged to share information rather than to advocate, citing confused families at four community meetings. The district stated that petition work was done by volunteers or staff outside of contract hours and that officials did not direct teachers to hand out petitions.

If the petitions are valid, Commissioner Mike Morath is required to order the closures, though he retains authority to implement other interventions. These alternatives include appointing a conservator to oversee the district or replacing the elected board with a group of state appointees. Mayor Kirk Watson noted in an Oct. 22 newsletter that while the commissioner must close campuses if a majority petitions, he can still layer other forms of state oversight.

The next regular AISD board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Oct. 29. The district expects the agency to respond to its ratings appeals around Dec. 10, one day before final ratings are released. If the board requests a different action by Dec. 15, the commissioner may order it, and a closure plan would be due by Jan. 30, with a final order issued by Feb. 15.