Austin, TX
'Educator Bill of Rights' seeks to address teacher pay, safety in upcoming Texas session
AUSTIN, Texas — We’re a few months away from the start of a new legislative session and the Texas American Federation of Teachers is laying out the priorities they’d like lawmakers to address.
Known as the Educator Bill of Rights, it looks to address critical problems such as teacher pay.
The A.F.T. says the public education system is broken, forcing teachers, bus drivers, and support staff out of the profession and leaving schools to close or operate without the resources they need. In a state sitting on a $32 billion surplus, the group hopes these priorities could right the ship, with “rights” covering everything from teacher pay, to book bans and classroom safety.
“All of this is connected to funding, it’s all connected to funding.” Education Austin President Ken Zarifis said.
Zarifis says Austin ISD’s $119 million budget deficit is emblematic of a larger, statewide problem. Even if voters approve a tax rate increase in November, the district will still be in a dire situation.
“That’s all we can do locally before we start cutting services and possibly people,” Zarifis said. “So the state needs to step in.”
That’s why he’s such a fan of the Educators Bill of Rights released in San Antonio and Dallas Tuesday by The Texas American Federation of Teachers. It’s a list of priorities they plan to bring to the upcoming legislative session which starts in January. Zarafis’ union is part of the AFT.
“The Bill of Rights is asking for a respectful workplace, a place where we feel safe, that we feel honored,” Zarifis said. “How do we support our kids?”
The AFT lists ten rights: the right to reasonable working conditions, fair wages, a secure retirement, quality childcare, a healthy safe, and secure working environment, academic freedom, meaningful training and development, organizing, democratic representation, and freedom of religion.
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“This is legislation that focuses on overwhelming popular priorities: fully funding our public schools, supporting our kids with the resources they need, and keeping our educators where they belong: in our public schools.” A representative with A.F.T. said.
Of chief concern, is that Texas teachers make $9,000 less than the national average, and the AFT says 70 percent of its 66,000 members have considered leaving the industry.
“This gap not only undervalues our profession but also directly impacts our ability to attract and retain the best educators for our students.” Northside A.F.T. Teacher Ledda Arcelus said.
Many teachers also worry about gun violence and are working in classrooms without air conditioning, or in schools where religious freedoms aren’t respected. There’s also the issue of retirement pensions and childcare for working professionals, which present other problems.
“No public school student should have to endure cuts that compromise their education, and no educator should have to choose between filling a prescription or putting gas in their car just to do the job that they love,” Arcelus said.
Zarifis believes if these rights can be achieved, not only will it keep much-needed professionals in the classroom, but will bring students the quality education they deserve.
“What happens at the state impacts every student in this state, and this bill of rights addresses the needs that we know as professionals on our campuses and in public schools, what our kids need,” Zarifis said.
The 89th Legislative Session begins January 14.
To see a full list of the Educator Bill of Rights, click here.
AUSTIN, Texas – Pride Month is celebrated each June.
It marks the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising that started in late June 1969. The protests are seen as a turning point in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. It inspired marches across the country in the years that followed.
More than a dozen cities and towns across Texas are celebrating with everything from parades to festivals to concerts and more.
A Pride flag is seen held up in a crowd during preparation for a Queer March to the Texas State Capitol on April 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images)
Here’s a look at some of the dates and places Pride events are happening around the Lone Star State this month:
Austin also has a Pride celebration, but it is scheduled for Aug. 22.
The Source: Information in this story came from various sources, including official websites for events. AI was used to help assemble the list of events.
Red-hot Rowan Kelly came to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning with a chance to extend the Gauchos season, but a thrilling comeback was not to be.
The UC Santa Barbara baseball team battled to the end, but fell to host Texas 6-4 in the Austin Regional final on Sunday afternoon.
“I think our guys gave a really good effort,” Checketts said. “Kellan’s start was outstanding, set the tone for us, gave us a shot. We came up short against a very good baseball team.”
UC Santa Barbara (40-20) held the lead through six innings behind a strong start from pitcher Kellan Montgomery and continued offensive production from Kelly. However, Texas (43-13), the tournament’s No. 6 national seed, scored four runs over the final three innings to secure the victory and advance.
Montgomery, a Santa Barbara native, delivered one of his strongest outings of the season. The right-hander retired the Longhorns in order in the first inning and held Texas scoreless through five innings while allowing only a handful of baserunners. Kelly provided early offense with a solo home run in the first inning, his second home run of the day after homering earlier against Tarleton State.
“I think just trusting myself and the guys behind me. The last couple outings haven’t really been what I wanted, so just not making it anything bigger than it is,” Montgomery said. “This is my first time in playoff baseball, so I’m just trying to enjoy every moment with a really special group. It was just trusting myself and the seven guys behind me.”
Texas broke through in the sixth inning, loading the bases before a sacrifice fly by Adrian Rodriguez and a two-out single by Ethan Mendoza drove in two runs and gave the Longhorns their first lead of the game at 2-1. Relief pitcher Van Froling entered and recorded the final out of the inning.
The Gauchos responded immediately in the bottom half. Consecutive walks by Liam Barrett and Kelly set the stage for a sacrifice bunt attempt by William Vasseur that resulted in multiple Texas throwing errors. Barrett scored on the initial errant throw, while Kelly later crossed the plate after another misplay, giving UC Santa Barbara a 3-2 advantage.
Texas regained control in the seventh inning. After a runner’s lane interference call erased a potential scoring play, Aiden Robbins hit a two-run home run four pitches later to move the Longhorns back in front. Texas added two more runs in the eighth, including one on an RBI double and another following a failed pickoff attempt, extending its lead to 6-3.
UC Santa Barbara narrowed the deficit in the bottom of the eighth. Kelly doubled off the top of the left-field wall and later scored as the Gauchos cut the lead to two runs. The inning ended with the potential go-ahead run still at the plate.
The Gauchos mounted one final threat in the ninth. Xavier Esquer and Cole Kosciusko opened the inning with singles, and a hit batter loaded the bases with two outs. Kelly came to the plate with the tying run in scoring position, prompting Texas to make a pitching change.But Longhorn starting pitcher Luke Harrison made a rare relief appearance to record the final out and preserve the victory.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) received a $10,000 donation and 30 pet beds on Thursday.
The donation was from Robert Thiele, an Amazon delivery driver and owner of Clark Courier Services, which was named in honor of his late bulldog, Clark, who passed away this spring after a battle with cancer.
“I named Clark Courier Services after Clark because just like our drivers, he delivered smiles every single day. In a world full of best friends, Clark was the bestest,” said Thiele.
According to Amazon, the donated pet beds were given a second life through Amazon Re:Turn, which repurposes textiles from customer returns that could not be resold or donated.
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Amazon delivers $10,000 donation and pet beds to APA! (KXAN photo/Tim Holcomb)
As a surprise for Thiele, APA! unveiled memorial plaques dedicated to Clark on shelter kennels, which were inscribed with his name and the words “forever delivering.”
“Our Delivery Service Partners are local, small business owners embedded in the communities they serve. Robert’s been delivering in Austin for nearly seven years, and he’s not just moving packages. He’s showing up for the people, the pets, and the neighborhoods around him. That’s what this program is about,” said Emma Crowley, Amazon spokesperson. “Today, we got to give a little back to someone who has and will continue to give so much to others.”
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