“Trustees voted unanimously Monday night to approve a full-scale charter partnership for Travis Heights Elementary.  The charter will be managed by a board representing teachers, community members, the district’s labor group Education Austin, and Austin Interfaith.  But unlike IDEA, school leaders agreed not to move forward on the charter unless it had the support of a majority of its teachers and the neighboring community. The school’s leaders will have greater power over their budget and curriculum.”

New Charter Gets School Board Blessing, KXAN

Austin School Trustees Vote to End IDEA Charter Partnership, Austin American Statesman

Additional background here

“Travis Heights Innovation School Project ….is a collaborative proposal developed by the neighborhood, the school itself, employee union Education Austin, and local nonprofit Austin Interfaith. It would still be the same students and same staff on the same campus: However, rather than taking edicts from AISD central administration, the campus would have a governing board with parents, teachers, and a seat each for Education Austin and Austin Interfaith….”

Austin School Board Considers…, Austin American Statesman

School Board Discussing Charters, IDEA, KUT News

Community Backed Charter in Travis Heights Goes to the Board, Austin Chronicle

The Future of Travis Heights Elementary School, Fox News 7

Travis Heights Elementary Applies To Become a Charter School, YNN Austin

“A diverse mix of Labor Union representatives, city and county elected officials, faith-based organizations and advocates for fair wages and working conditions came to the Workers Defense Project office Tuesday night…to celebrate a move by the county regarding tax incentives, a move many are hoping the city of Austin will follow.

“We really feel a company that’s not willing to pay $11 an hour isn’t a very good candidate for an incentive…” said  Bob Batlan with Austin Interfaith.”

A Celebration of a Change in Tax Incentives in Travis County, KVUE News