It’s abundantly clear: the pay, the workload, and the inadequate number of staff asked to carry the heavy load of understaffing is halting progress for Austin ISD. This spring, we need AISD’s budget and policies to respond to these disparities. The workers across our district have spoken. We need better pay, a reasonable workload, and a sufficient number of staff to do the important job of serving our families and community.

The current educational climate leaves many gaps to fill. Teachers and staff of Austin ISD throw ourselves at our work, going above and beyond to fill these gaps, placing the needs of our students, families, and communities above our own. It’s time to make a change and give us what we deserve.

We know our worth.

We are worth:

A $12 per hour raise for all classified employees to ensure a livable wage for Austin.

We need better pay across the board. Faculty and staff at Austin ISD need a paycheck that not only honors our hard work, but most importantly, provides a living wage amid the rising costs around us. The work our classified staff do is vital, and the pay must reflect that.

An increase in base pay by 12% for all certified employees and equitable stipends across the district.

Austin ISD has made it a goal to be the highest-paying district in Central Texas. To do that, we need a significant raise. In addition to this, many staff go above and beyond, assuming duties like interpretation, bilingual instruction, additional preps, leadership roles, and many more. Additional work means additional pay, and the delivery of this payment must be equitable.

A reasonable workload through collective decision-making, including defined job descriptions, a hard cap on class sizes, clearly defined and protected duty days, and limits on “other duties as assigned.”

The amount of work our employees take on has been increasing since the beginning of the pandemic and beyond. As AISD enacts policies and takes on initiatives, this often results in adding weight to an already full workday. The district must respect the time of its employees and the hours we work, the students we educate, and the tasks we take on.

Filling all current vacancies and ensuring that staffing levels match the needs of students rather than redistributing work to current employees.

There is an excess of vacancies in our district, and employees cannot be left carrying the weight. There is vital work to be done, and though the hardworking teachers and staff will scramble to get the job done, this cannot be the norm. It must be a top priority of Austin ISD to increase recruiting efforts and add desirability to these positions through better working conditions and better pay.

Re-examining the essential areas redesign to ensure equity.

The essential areas redesign has had a ripple effect throughout the elementary schools, and while there are lessons to be learned, it has created disproportionate harm for many faculty and staff. We urge Austin ISD to listen to those affected by these changes and work with campuses to create a strategy that benefits all.

Decreased district and campus-required testing.

Our students are tested too much. While AISD cannot change state standards and policies, they can adjust their own to mitigate the damage standardized testing does to students and instructional time. AISD educates the whole child, and every day a student is taking a test is a day they cannot participate in the learning and instruction we pride ourselves in delivering.

Whether you are a student, parent, guardian, family member, member of the community, or an employee of Austin ISD, add your name to the petition to support a budget that prioritizes students, staff members, and the community.