Austin ISD to evaluate resources after $9M in federal funding cuts

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin ISD might need to find more than $9 million in funding, following the loss of some federal grants, according to a letter sent out by Superintendent Matias Segura.

The letter said that at the end of last month, the district learned a number of grants were on hold with no timeline or indication of when they'll become available. The grants included multi-lingual support and after-school programs.

 “We believe every student deserves a high-quality education that affirms their identity, supports their mental health and prepares them to succeed in a global society,” Segura said in the letter. "We believe in the power of bilingualism and biliteracy. We believe in the importance of social-emotional development and caring relationships in every classroom. These beliefs are not negotiable."

The superintendent said, given the district's ongoing budget deficit, they'll need to have discussions about how they'd operate without the money.

Segura said the district would evaluate how to best use its remaining resources. The effort could be used to restructure programs, consolidate efforts or scale back in areas.

“These are not decisions we take lightly, and they will not be made without careful planning,” Segura said.

The letter said the district would share more information about the changes in the future.

“These are difficult times, but I believe in the strength of this community. We have weathered challenges before, and I am confident that, together, we will navigate this one with purpose and creativity,” Segura said.