Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Achieve Public Schools, which operates four tuition-free charters, laid off 24 staff members, including teachers, on Friday partially because of decreased attendance, according to its founder.
The founder, John Armbrust, said Tuesday that leadership anticipates financial shortfalls because of that lower-than-expected average daily attendance and other factors.
In Texas, enrollment and attendance rates determine the amount of state funding to charters and school districts. The cost-cutting comes after lawmakers did not increase funding to public and charter schools. That followed a marathon of special legislative sessions where the additional funding was tied to a program that would have allowed state dollars to go to private schools, otherwise known as education savings accounts.
“District leadership had hoped for an increase in state funding for K-12 public schools, as funding levels have …