In the face of the Austin Independent School District's (AISD) proposed school closures, the Becker Elementary School community demonstrated its opposition on Tuesday. Parents and students convened for a morning walk from Twin Oaks Library to the school, channels of audible discontent flowing through South Austin streets. "Save Becker" and "Keep Us Open" were the emblazoned calls on posters, a visual stand against a cost-saving plan that threatens to shutter their doors along with a dozen other educational institutions, as reported by CBS Austin.
One notable feature of Becker Elementary, a school that has stood for nearly 90 years, is its Spanish Dual Language Program, which inherently embodies an inclusivity – teaching both English and Spanish. This particular program has been a magnet for families that prioritize bilingual education. "Having the ability to learn Spanish and to also learn English at the same time, was so important to our family. We speak Spanish at home, and we wanted that opportunity here at Becker," Ginette Salas told CBS Austin. The draft plan by AISD points to an immediate $25.6 million cost saving should the closures be approved in November.
If Becker were to close, students would be relocated to Zilker Elementary School, while Becker's current Spanish Dual Language Program would move to Sanchez Elementary. This is a shift that Salas believes would be a heavy burden for families like hers, due to the increased commute. David Hinojosa, another parent from Becker, expressed to CBS Austin how such a move disrupts more than just education – it unsettles a family's rhythm and the connections formed in the school community.
Equipped with a "B" accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and a 95% attendance rate, it seems counterintuitive to shutter Becker Elementary, a sentiment echoed by another Becker parent, Alexandra Aponte, who spoke with KVUE, "You can't just pick something up and put it somewhere else and expect for it to be the same." Parents remain anxious about the future, left adrift in a sea of uncertainties and questions about the true benefits of the district's consolidation for the state of education.
Austin ISD plans on engaging the community in discussions about the consolidation plan, and a final vote is slated for November 20. In the meantime, parents like Hinojosa hope that initiatives like Tuesday’s walk will illuminate the district to Becker’s successes, rather than its fit on a spreadsheet. "This should be a model that AISD builds on top of. This isn't a school that you tear down," Hinojosa affirmed in his statement to CBS Austin.
