Two Austin nonprofits are racing to cover what AISD's budget can't this school year.

Communities In Schools of Central Texas closed its Refuse to Lose campaign Aug. 31 having raised more than $354,200 to keep student support staff on 19 campuses—while Austin Ed Fund will hand-deliver $350,000 to 48 teacher-led projects across the district Sept. 2.

By the numbers: The AISD board of trustees voted in June to adopt an $887 million budget, closing a $181 million shortfall through cuts that grew to $205 million gross.
The district's real deficit for the year before came in at $105 million, five times the $19 million originally adopted, while its state financial rating dropped to a B for the first time since 2017.

What's next: CIS's Refuse to Lose campaign met its matched-giving goal by the Aug. 31 deadline. Austin Ed Fund accepts campus-specific gifts year-round at www.austinedfund.org and holds its Inspire the Future Luncheon Oct. 20.

A restaurant called Sushi Tokami could open in South Austin, per a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation project filing.

The details: The filing indicates the $350,000 project could be built at the former Back Home Furniture location, and a sign on the building indicates the restaurant will be all-you-can-eat. Additional details or comments from a business representative were not immediately available.

• 4477 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 730, Austin 

Voters will choose the ACC Board of Trustees, Place 3 representative on Nov. 3, with early voting running Oct. 19-30. Community Impact asked candidates in the race to answer a set of questions on their motivations, priorities, and vision for the college.

Read the full Q&A for details on each candidate's platform ahead of the general election.