Austin, Texas — Voters approved a $2.4 billion Austin Independent School District bond in 2022 with the promise of stabilizing aging campuses, but millions of those dollars are now tied to schools scheduled for closure, drawing criticism from taxpayers and parents.
At Oak Springs Elementary, more than $48 million in bond-funded construction was underway before the district moved to shut the campus as part of a consolidation plan aimed at closing a nearly $20 million budget deficit. Across the district, records reviewed by Austin Current show more than $95 million in bond money has already been spent or committed to 10 schools that will close after the 2025–26 school year, including major projects at Martin Middle School, Barrington Elementary, Widen Elementary, and Bedichek Middle School.
District leaders argue the investments were necessary at the time. Austin ISD faces more than $3 billion in deferred maintenance, and nearly every campus was slated for upgrades such as HVAC repairs, security improvements, and technology modernization. School board President Lynn Boswell said trustees considered existing bond commitments when deciding which schools to close and pledged remaining funds would still benefit students.
Critics, including taxpayer advocates, question why the district pursued such a large bond amid years of declining enrollment. Parents like Oak Springs Elementary parent Isabel Torres say the closures feel like a broken promise, especially after being told their neighborhood school would be renovated.
District officials say decisions about reallocating remaining bond funds will involve community oversight and future board votes, with student transitions prioritized ahead of August 2026.
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