The future of Dobie Middle School in northeast Austin hangs in the balance, facing potential closure due to poor academic performance. Teachers, students, and community members are rallying to save the institution from a decision that could lead to its end or its rebirth under different management. According to CBS Austin, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has handed down another failing grade to the school, placing Austin ISD at risk of a district-wide takeover unless there's a significant turnaround.
Amidst looming closures, drastic measures are on the table. These include the possibility of shutting down Dobie Middle School permanently, a temporary closure, or a transformation into a charter school starting this fall. The school's location in the Rundberg area, known for its economic challenges, adds to the contention, with the community's fate seemingly intertwined with that of the school. "Should you choose to permanently close our doors, you are not just closing Dobie; you are closing Rundberg," CBS Austin quotes teacher Lainey Gilbert.
The sentiment of the school's significance to the community echoes in the voices of its constituents. At a recent board meeting, faculty, students, and parents expressed their discontent with the school's predicament in over an hour of public testimony. They called on district leaders to view the school beyond its test scores and recognize the strong community it supports. "Don't close the school down. And if you decide to partner with the charter, let the community decide its own future with you," said Jose Rico, an ESL teacher at Dobie Middle School, in a statement obtained by KVUE.
In response to the failures, Austin ISD crafted a turnaround plan with the goal of rectifying the campus's issues. Current discussions about the school's fate remain ongoing, with no decision made until the district reviews survey results and engages with the community. Superintendent Matias Segura emphasized the need for engagement before moving forward. "We are not quite at the point where we have a recommendation because we still need to listen and engage with our community on the 14th," he told CBS Austin. To garner community support and highlight the school's importance, the Rundberg Community is hosting a spring block party at Dobie Middle School on Saturday, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., seeking solidarity in the face of uncertainty.
