November 2026 Elections

Public education is more important - and more at risk - than ever. This November brings opportunities up and down the ballot to elect officials who will prioritize public education, preserve local control of our districts and adequately fund our schools.

The last day to register to vote is October 5th. Early voting begins on October 19th and the last day to vote is November 3rd.

What can you do?

• Make sure you are registered to vote.
  
  
• Review your ballot and the candidates in your area.
• AISD Board of Trustees Candidates
• State Board of Education Candidates
• Know the dates and make a plan to vote.
  
  
• Talk to your friends, family and neighbors. Make sure they are registered and have a plan to vote.
  
  

AISD Board of Trustees

The AISD Board of Trustees serve as representatives of the community in the planning and enactment of AISD policy.

The board appoints and supervises AISD’s superintendent, reviews and approves the budget, and influences the direction of AISD policy and how it is monitored and evaluated.

What can you do?

• Know who your board officials are.
• Find your representative
• Current board members
• Attend or watch board meetings.
• Watch past board meetings here
• Review ACPTA’s board meeting recaps here

• Leave public comments to ensure your priorities and experiences are heard.

School Funding and Budget Cuts

AISD is facing a $181 million budget deficit and much of the pain families feel in the district - school closures, staff cuts, and transportation woes - are a direct result of the state underfunding public education.

100 campuses across Texas had closed or been approved for closure. 63% of school districts across Texas are facing budget deficits. Texas continues to spend over $4000 less per student than the national average and ranks in the bottom ten states in per-student funding.

What can you do?

• Learn more about how the state funds education here and here
  
  
• Explore AISD's budget this year and how the lack of funding impacts our community.
  
  
• Write or call your representatives and share how underfunding has impacted your family. Demand an increase to the basic allotment and that Texas fund schools based on enrollment not daily attendance.

Texas Education Agency, Accountability Ratings and Take Over

The Texas Education Agency, or TEA, is a state agency charged with overseeing public education in Texas. TEA sets accountability metrics for schools (A-F ratings) and can intervene in a school or district after a series of unacceptable accountability ratings.

As TEA takes over more districts, we see an increasing body of evidence that show takeovers are costly, disproportionately impact minoritized students and do not increase learning. 

What can you do?

• Vote on November 3rd. The TEA Commissioner is a political appointee made by the Governor of Texas.
• Explore ACTPA’s one pager on the Texas gubernatorial candidates’ positions on education issues.
• Watch PhD candidate Dan Dower’s presentation on the TEA takeover in Houston and what we can expect in Austin if a takeover occurs.
  
  
• Read ACPTA’s two-pager on TEAs and Takeover

• Join Keep Austin Schools Independent (KASI) to learn about ongoing events and actions.