News Summary
Education Austin, the union for public school teachers and staff, marks 25 years of advocacy amidst funding challenges in the Austin Independent School District. Under the leadership of Ken Zarifis, the union has fought for better pay, working conditions, and against controversial charter school takeovers. With elections supporting aligned trustees and a focus on marginalized communities, Education Austin has established itself as a pivotal advocate for public education, especially as the district faces a significant budget deficit and rising living costs for educators.
Austin – Education Austin, a union representing public school teachers and staff, is celebrating 25 years of advocacy at a time when funding challenges are putting significant pressure on the Austin Independent School District (AISD). The union, led by Ken Zarifis, has played a pivotal role in negotiating for better pay, safe working conditions, and fair workloads for education professionals, particularly in the wake of a controversial charter school takeover attempt in 2011.
In 2011, AISD officials entertained a proposal to have the IDEA charter school take over Allan Elementary School in an effort to improve the school’s test scores. The move was met with strong opposition from public school advocates, including Zarifis. Despite this opposition, the AISD board approved the takeover with a 6-3 vote. Following the approval, Zarifis and members of Education Austin mobilized to identify and support candidates who opposed the takeover, successfully electing three new trustees in the 2013 elections, which ultimately led to the cancellation of the IDEA contract just four months after the takeover began.
The strategic shift in local electoral politics under Zarifis’ leadership demonstrated the union’s commitment to advocating for public education. His predecessor, Louis Malfaro, had previously emphasized the importance of asserting the union’s influence during periods of political resistance, highlighting the need for a board that aligned more closely with progressive educational values.
Since the cancellation of the takeover, Education Austin has successfully endorsed candidates who have won trustee elections. Currently, all nine trustees are backed by the union, underscoring its strong position within AISD governance. Zarifis has emerged as a prominent figure among education leaders, whose insights are frequently sought in district decision-making.
The union’s achievements extend beyond elections. Education Austin has advocated for district-wide salary increases, reduced workloads, and ensured safer working conditions for educators. In 2017, the organization partnered with community advocacy groups to limit out-of-school suspensions for young students, although some legislative measures in subsequent years rolled back these reforms.
Education Austin has also focused on supporting marginalized communities, organizing initiatives such as DACA clinics, citizenship drives, and raising awareness for LGBTQ inclusion in schools. Zarifis, who has been a member of Education Austin since 1998, faces new challenges as certain schools, like Burnet Middle School, may be at risk of state-mandated takeovers due to pressure to improve academic performance.
AISD is currently grappling with a significant budget deficit estimated at $78 million. To address these financial struggles, the district is contemplating a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) that could generate $171 million in additional revenue. After state recaptures, approximately $41 million would directly benefit the district’s financial standing.
Zarifis advocates for the approval of this tax increase, framing it as a necessary investment in the future of education, equating it to “a dollar a day for our kids.” Meanwhile, as the district plans a modest 2% salary increase for teachers, Zarifis argues that this proposal is inadequate to meet the rising cost of living and the financial pressures faced by educators.
Amid proposed budget cuts, Education Austin organized rallies demanding higher wages for all school staff, emphasizing that existing pay structures fail to meet the standards of a living wage. Through relentless advocacy and a community-driven approach, Education Austin has solidified its role as a critical player in the ongoing dialogue regarding teacher rights and the future of public education in Austin.
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Additional Resources
- Austin Chronicle: Austin’s Powerful Education Union
- Wikipedia: Austin Independent School District
- CBS Austin: Breakdown of AISD Funds
- Google Search: Education Austin
- Community Impact: Austin ISD Voter Expectations
- Google Scholar: Texas Education Funding
- Austin Chronicle: Pride in Austin ISD
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Education
- Fox 7 Austin: Education Austin Board President Resignation Call
- Google News: Austin Education
