Thirteen candidates are running for five Austin ISD trustee positions, covering districts 1, 4, 6 and 7 and an at-large seat. The winners could be replaced by a state-appointed board of managers if the state takes over the district.
The possible takeover follows five consecutive failing grades from the state for Burnet and Webb middle schools. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath must decide what level of intervention the district will receive. Parents from both schools have asked Morath to close the campuses to avoid a takeover, but he could still close them and appoint a new board.
Bradley, who served as District 1 trustee from 2002 to early 2015, said she is running because the district has moved away from its main job of educating children. She said her priority would be putting children first and keeping schools from receiving F ratings. Hunter, a former educator seeking reelection, has served on the board since December 2022. She said she has seen a positive trend for African American, emerging bilingual and economically disadvantaged students over the past year.