ATX-NNW: Impact 10/6/2025

Austin ISD has proposed closing 13 campuses in the 2026-27 school year, seven of which have received three consecutive F ratings from the Texas Education Agency.

What's happening: On Oct. 3, AISD announced the school closure plans alongside new attendance boundaries impacting 98% of campuses, changes to programming at some campuses and transfer policy updates. Superintendent Matias Segura said he will present his final school consolidation and attendance boundary recommendation to the board of trustees for approval at the Nov. 20 board meeting.

The background: The sweeping changes come as AISD looks to address declining enrollment, lower a mounting budget shortfall and provide state-mandated intervention at 12 failing campuses. 

What they're saying: “The urgency in us protecting the school district is real and the status quo is not possible,” Segura said at an Oct. 2 press conference. “We cannot move forward in our current configuration. We have to make adjustments.”

Mosaic Church launched in Austin in the fall of 1995 and has since served as a spiritual community option for Austin locals and visitors. Oct. 5 marks the church's 30th anniversary.

The details: The church operates two locations serving both the North and South Austin communities. The spaces are multiethnic, multigenerational and nondenominational.

In addition to its church services, the church also manages Mosaic Street Ministry which provides coffee, breakfast, clothes, hygiene products, mail services, showers, housing information and prayer to the unhoused community.

• North Austin: 12675 Research Blvd., Austin; South Austin: 9910 Bilbrook Place, Austin

With Austin's ability to add new parkland to keep pace with population growth greatly limited under a new state law, local parks leaders are now eyeing millions of dollars in new land acquisition to ensure adequate access to green space around town.

The approach: Priority areas for parks additions, including a new recreation center for Southeast Austin, have already been identified and could guide future bond investments. According to Heymans, every $100 million of new acquisition funds would serve up to 10% more of the city's population by adding:

• 60 acres of destination parks
• 60 acres of pocket or neighborhood parks
• More than 200 acres of greenbelts

The Round Rock Express, the Round Rock-based Minor League Baseball team, marked the completion of its 25th season on Sept. 21. 

What you need to know: The team was founded in 2000 by Ryan-Sanders Baseball, a partnership between Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan and Don Sanders, a former minority owner of the Houston Astros, according to the league.

Here are the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from Sept. 29-Oct. 3.

1. New restaurant Grey Orchard to open in Round Rock

2. Nana B's Country Kitchen now serving comfort food in Round Rock

3. Jet's Pizza opens Round Rock shop near Old Settlers Boulevard

4. Texas Roadhouse to open in Leander this November

5. Austin ISD adopts lower tax rate for 2025-26, homeowners could see savings

6. Q&A: Meet 4 candidates for Pflugerville mayor

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.