Where Are the Worst Public Schools in Austin?
If we were to grade Austin Independent School District’s paper right now, they’d probably get a B — could be better, but certainly could be a lot worse. After getting repeated “F’s,” three AISD middle schools are being forced to shape up, in a year that the school district’s budget has shrunk to deficit level. But now that state lawmakers have funneled $8.5 billion into public schools, increasing the basic student allotment and giving teachers raises, will AISD be able to balance its books? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Austin American-Statesman reporter Keri Heath to discuss it all, including other education-related bills passed by the Texas Legislature.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 10th episode:
- Tecovas
- XOXO Downtown Austin
- Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more.
Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.
Follow us @citycastaustin
You can also text us or leave a voicemail.
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Austin and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Should Texans Learn World History? Plus, Hemp Industry Sues & Why Austin Is a Runner's City
This week the State Board of Education met in Austin to propose and vote on newly rewritten K-12 history and English curricula that could...

Austin Facts That Sound Too Weird To Be True
Austin is full of great stories, from legendary tales to little-known local lore. But how many are actually true? Host Nikki DaVaughn is...

Is Austin's $60 Cup of Coffee Worth It?
Austin was just ranked among the top cities in America for coffee, according to a recent Wallethub report. But with hundreds of coffee sh...

AV Kills Duck, the Austinite Directing the Moon Mission, & Where You’d Take Your Enemies
On today’s episode, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the biggest news in town...

Can Closed Schools Become Parks? Plus, Council Supports Home Businesses and Cools on I-35 Caps
Austin City Council could be cooling on building caps and stitches over Interstate 35, after months of planning and discussion over fundi...

'Your City Could Be Better': Denver’s Bet on a Women’s Soccer Stadium — Presented By City Cast Austin
Both Denver and Austin wanted, but didn't get, a WNBA team. While more and more people are embracing women’s sports, Denver is only the s...

James Beard Award Skips Austin, Oldest School in Town Set To Close, & Weekend Rain
This week, Austin Independent School District announced plans to close Blackshear Elementary School, the oldest-operating school in the c...

Inside The 2022 Murder That Rocked Austin
A new Netflix documentary about a 2022 homicide in Austin premiered at SXSW and is publicly available starting tomorrow, April 3. “The Tr...

Your Guide to April 2026 in Austin
Spring is all around us, and you only have a limited amount of time to get outside and enjoy it before summer sizzles in. Host Nikki DaVa...

Council's New Downtown Streets Plan, THC Rules Take Effect, and Best April Fool’s Jokes
Austin City Council members have a new plan to make downtown streets friendlier for pedestrians, cyclists, and mass transit-users — and t...

