AISD’s own equity officer calls school closure plan ’21st century racism’

Austin ISD's Chief Equity Officer called the district's plan to close four schools -- including three in historically black East Austin -- racist. The district then chose to shutter those schools anyway.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin ISD’s Chief Equity Officer called the district’s plan to close four schools — including three in historically black East Austin — racist. The district then chose to move forward with its plan to shutter those schools anyway.

“The map that you have of the closures is a map of what 21st century racism looks like,” said Stephanie Hawley, who the district hired in June as AISD’s very first equity officer.

Hawley then detailed what she calls inequities in the district’s plan to close Metz, Sims, and Brooke elementary schools in East Austin and Pease Elementary School in downtown Austin.

During her passionate speech, which was met with bursts of applause, Hawley explained that she had not found documentation or satisfactory reasons for the schools selected to possibly close.

“I’m an old teacher,” said Hawley. “And I need to see your work. And I didn’t see it.”

The district cited poor facilities and declining enrollment as two reasons behind the closures.

Hawley says she’s heard different data and different stories regarding the proposed closures, but she says whatever the process was, it was flawed.

“This is what well-meaning racism looks like,” said Hawley. “I believe we can do better.”

Conversely, in a September panel discussion, the school board said that the proposals actually aimed to combat systemic inequality.

Hawley said that the district needs to have more contact with the communities it is disrupting, adding that the district has the ability to “bring humility to this process.”

In September, AISD staff released a plan that called for 12 schools to close. District staff said all schools on that original list are still under consideration, adding the community conversations around closures are expected to resume in January.

The district says the closures and consolidations will allow it to save $3.78 million.