Today's action: Call or email your school board trustee 

Who is my trustee? Please contact Kealing’s trustee and your neighborhood trustee. 

• Candace Hunter represents Kealing. Candance's email: candace.l.hunter@austinisd.org Voicemail: 512-414-1700, ext. 54556

• Click here to find your neighborhood trustee.

• trustees@austinisd.org will reach all Trustees 

What do I say? An email template and call script are below. 

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Email Template: 

Dear Trustee,

Thank you for your commitment to the Austin Independent School District and all you do for our students.

I am a proud parent of {STUDENT NAME and GRADE} at Kealing Middle School. 

I am concerned about the removal of critical funding and staff from Kealing Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year. These funds are essential to equitable outcomes and inclusive learning, and removing staff would create a lack of academic support for historically underserved students.

The proposed cuts contradict AustinISD’s own commitment to transformative practices aimed at student success. Every student deserves equal access to the educational opportunities necessary to thrive.

  I urge you and your fellow trustees to recommend that AustinISD find alternative funding sources.

Thank you for listening to my concerns. I'm confident the school board will take swift action to support student success.

Respectfully,

{Your Name}

{Your Student’s name and grade}

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Call Script:  

1. Introduction

• Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a proud parent of a student at Kealing Middle School.

• Thank you for your commitment to AustinISD and all you do for our students.

• I'm calling today because I am concerned about the potential removal of critical funding from Kealing Middle School. 

2. State the Issue

• These funds are critical for offering all students equitable educational opportunities and much-needed support, especially for those historically underserved.

• Removing this funding would cut critical positions :3 teachers, 1 director, and 2 instructional coaches, which are vital to Kealing’s ability to maintain its nurturing, inclusive, and supportive environment.

3. Request for Action

• We urge you to explore all avenues to Keep Kealing Funded, such as reallocating resources or finding alternative financial support.

• Keeping these key positions at Kealing is imperative to providing our students with quality education and the support our students deserve to thrive.

4. Thank You, and Closing

• Your support in Keeping Kealing Funded will ensure Kealing's ongoing success and stability.

Stay connected through Konstella, Facebook, Instagram, Newsletter and School Messenger for more ways to support us.

Your continued support is essential to protect Kealing staff and maintain supplemental funds.

Three teachers, two instructional coaches, and a director are at risk. These positions are crucial to equitable outcomes and inclusive learning for our students, especially historically underserved students.

Today, on Day 2, we ask you to take action by filing a complaint to the superintendent using the Let's Talk tool.

This direct approach will make a significant impact.

Here's how to submit your complaint:

1. Visit the Let's Talk website - https://www.austinisd.org/letstalk

2. Select the red box marked “Superintendent.”

3. Fill out the form with your details (script below) and submit your complaint.

4. Share this message with at least 1 friend!

Your voice matters! Thank you for your support in this critical effort.

-Kealing PTA

president@kealingpta.org

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Let's Talk Template:

Subject: Request to Keep your promise to Kealing Academy and Keep Kealing Funded

Dear Mr. Segura,

As a concerned parent of a student attending Kealing Middle School, I urge you to keep our Kealing Academy, the zoned student population, funded and uphold the district's commitment to supporting the economically disadvantaged students at our school. These students rely on the resources and support systems that Kealing provides, and their educational success is vital for their future and our community's well-being.

Kealing Middle School has a unique and delicate ecosystem that depends on the presence of key staff and programs. Any cuts to funding could threaten this balance and negatively impact our students' education. I urge Austin ISD to explore alternative funding sources to sustain Kealing's current support and staffing levels.

With your leadership, Austin ISD can find solutions that preserve the integrity and quality of education at Kealing Middle School. We appreciate your attention to this critical matter and hope for a prompt resolution.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Parent] of a Kealing Middle School Student
[Contact Information]

We are making great progress and we are being heard. Thank you for rallying to support our amazing school. Let's keep up the good work!

Today's Action: Write or Call key district administrators. Script below.

Go Hornets!

-Kealing PTA

president@kealingpta.org

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Dear:_________

As a [PARENT] of a student at Kealing Middle School, I write to express my concern and advocate for the continued funding and support of Kealing Academy and our zoned student population. It's crucial to uphold Austin ISD's commitment to the economically disadvantaged students at our school. These students depend on Kealing's resources and support systems for their educational success, which is pivotal for their future and our community.

Kealing Middle School maintains a unique ecosystem that is reliant on key staff and programs. Any reduction in funding could disrupt this balance and negatively impact our students' education. I urge Austin ISD to explore other funding options to maintain Kealing's current level of support and staffing.

With your leadership, Austin ISD can identify solutions that preserve the high standard of education at Kealing Middle School. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I hope to see a positive and timely resolution.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Parent] of a Kealing Middle School Student
[Contact Information]

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List of Contacts:

Combined emails (for copy/paste):  matias.segura@austinisd.org, brandi.hosack@austinisd.org, eduardo.ramos@austinisd.org, christine.steenport@austinisd.org, stephanie.hawley@austinisd.org, stacie.holiday@austinisd.org, susan.m.diaz@austinisd.org

Matias Segura (if you haven’t already sent him a Let’s Talk)

Superintendent

matias.segura@austinisd.org

512-414-1700

Brandi Hosack

Chief Talent Strategy Officer

brandi.hosack@austinisd.org

512-414-1700

Eduardo Ramos

Finance Officer

eduardo.ramos@austinisd.org

512-414-1700

Christine Steenport

Chief of Operations

christine.steenport@austinisd.org

512-414-1700

Stephanie Hawley

Chief Officer, Office of Organizational Transformation

stephanie.hawley@austinisd.org

512-414-1700

Stacie Holiday

Executive Director SEC School Leadership Campus Support

stacie.holiday@austinisd.org

512-414-9839

Susan Diaz

Assistant Superintendent Secondary Academics

susan.m.diaz@austinisd.org

512-414-1700

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Estimado/Estimada [Nombre],

Como padre de un estudiante de Kealing Middle School, le escribo para expresar mi preocupación y abogar por la financiación y el apoyo continuos de Kealing Academy y nuestra población estudiantil zonal. Es crucial mantener el compromiso del Austin ISD con los estudiantes económicamente desfavorecidos de nuestra escuela. Estos estudiantes dependen de los recursos y sistemas de apoyo de Kealing para su éxito educativo, lo cual es fundamental para su futuro y el de nuestra comunidad.

Kealing Middle School mantiene un ecosistema único que depende de personal y programas clave. Cualquier reducción en la financiación podría alterar este equilibrio y afectar negativamente la educación de nuestros estudiantes. Insto a Austin ISD a explorar otras opciones de financiamiento para mantener el nivel actual de apoyo y personal de Kealing.

Con su liderazgo, Austin ISD puede identificar soluciones que preserven el alto nivel educativo en Kealing Middle School. Gracias por su atención a este asunto crítico. Espero ver una resolución positiva y oportuna.

Atentamente,

[Su nombre]

[Padre] de un estudiante de la escuela secundaria Kealing

[Información del contacto]

Today, we ask you to take action by completing any of the steps you might have missed AND recruit a friend or family member to do so:

• Call or email your trustee to express how vital Kealing is to you and the community

• Send your concerns to the superintendent. Use the "Let's Talk" platform to request that the district seek alternative funding for Kealing.

• Write to the superintendent and district administration to share your concerns and request their support.

Kealing needs your voice to save 6 staff positions. 

Please take a few minutes today (May 8th, between 3:30 pm and 4:45 pm) and tomorrow (May 9th, 7:45 am to 4:30 pm) to call and leave a 60-second recorded comment for the AISD Board Meeting.

Call 512-414-0130 between 3:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8 or 7:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 9th

Item number: 2.1 - General Public Comment

• When you call, you will be connected with an AISD representative. Please keep trying to call if you don’t get through to a live person the first time. 

• After the phone greeting, you hear a beep indicating that the recording has started.

• State your name and the topic ("Campus Budget for Kealing Middle School") at the beginning of your comments. 

• You will be able to leave a 60 second message. 

• If you are providing your comments in Spanish, your comments will be aired in the original language followed by a reading of your comments translated into English.

Please prepare your comment or use this script below:

1. Introduction:

• Hello, my name is {Your Name}, and I am a proud parent of a student at Kealing Middle School.

• Thank you for your commitment to AustinISD and all you do for our students.

• I'm calling today because I am concerned about the potential removal of critical funding from Kealing Middle School. 

2. State the Issue:

• These funds are critical for offering all students equitable educational opportunities and much-needed support, especially for those historically underserved.

• Removing this funding would cut critical positions: 3 teachers, 1 director, and 2 instructional coaches, which are vital to Kealing’s ability to maintain its nurturing, inclusive, and supportive environment.

3. Request for Action:

• Please explore all avenues to Keep Kealing Funded, such as reallocating resources or finding alternative financial support.

• Keeping these key positions at Kealing is imperative to providing our students with quality education and the support our students deserve to thrive.

4. Thank You, and Closing

• Your support in Keeping Kealing Funded will ensure Kealing's ongoing success and stability.

• Thank you.

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AISD Board Meeting General Info and Link to Live Stream of Tonight's meeting, starting at 6:00pm: https://www.austinisd.org/board/meetings