Get involved
You usually have only a minute or two at the mic — or one short email. Here's how to make it count, and who's already in this fight.
Most of Brentwood & Crestview is represented by Trustee Kevin Foster; Trustee Kathryn Whitley-Chu represents a small part of south Brentwood. Board President Lynn Boswell and At-large Trustee Fernando Lucas de Urioste are also active here. Email the board: trustees@austinisd.org · board members.28
You can give public comment at voting meetings (usually the 4th Thursday at 5:30 — comments must tie to an agenda item on BoardDocs). Request a meeting with trustees to ask where they stand. Short, specific, personal notes land best.28
Bring in local businesses, faith leaders, and labor — voices outside the schools can speak up for those inside who may fear retaliation. Reach homeowners and realtors (property values are at stake) and build relationships with journalists. Don't advocate alone.
Introduce yourself and your child: school, grade, how long in the district. Specific and personal beats abstract.26
Describe how the issue affects your family's daily life, safety, or well-being.27
Bring one fact or number alongside the story — speak to the real effects of a policy, not only how it feels.26
Don't just name the problem; name what you want to happen. Come with a concrete request.27
Tie your issue to the bigger picture so decision-makers see a pattern, not a one-off.26
A tight, personal, courteous comment lands better than a long one. Say it once, clearly, and stop.27
Coalition for public education — building trust across neighborhoods and clear tools to navigate policy. atx116.org
Anti-racist educators organizing through advocacy and outreach. educatorsinsolidarity.com
You do not have to be a parent to join a school's PTA! Brentwood PTA coordinates with neighboring schools and the Austin Council of PTAs to build advocacy positions. brentwoodpta.com
Austin's educators' union — organizing teachers and staff around funding and conditions. educationaustin.org
Statewide nonprofit — clear school-finance explainers and a short video on the money. raiseyourhandtexas.org
Research & data — "Pinching Pennies" on finance and "Facing Facts" on takeovers. everytexan.org · ourschoolsourdemocracy.org