- Many parents are not happy with Austin ISD's School Consolidation Plan.

We'll hear from some.

Plus looking back on a historic event that brought together thousands of Black men in Washington from the perspective of a local activist who was there.

That's next on "Austin InSight" - [Narrator] Support for "Austin InSight" comes from Sally and James Gavin, and also from Suerte, Este and Bar Toti restaurants bringing Austin together around culinary excellence to celebrate creativity, conservation, and culture in central Texas.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues) - Hello and thanks for joining us.

I'm Laura Laughead.

The controversial School Consolidation Plan for Austin ISD impacts almost every one of the district's 116 schools.

In the plan are new school boundary lines, campus changes for special programs, and most notably the closing of 13 schools.

10 elementary schools are on the closure list.

Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, and Widen.

Also on the list are Winn Montessori school and two middle schools, Martin and Bedichek.

A middle school made famous in this iconic school's out scene in the film "Dazed and Confused."

♪ Schools out for the summer.

♪ - [Protesters] Save our schools.

Save our schools.

With protest petitions and public comments at school board meetings, parents, teachers, and others are making their opinions clear.

- I represent hundreds of concerned parents and neighbors of the only elementary in the district with a predominantly Black student population.

We have a history of structure, culture, and excellence that has been cultivated and strengthened by Principal Moore.

- Speaking specifically of the dual language program that have served me and my heritage family who are ignored in this plan.

The real challenge ASD faces for this program, sorry, is recruitment and retention.

Closing schools won't fix that.

- I understand our number one priority is to avoid a TEA takeover, but closing schools is obeying in advance.

I'm ready to fight for my school and all public schools, are you?

Please slow down and listen.

We have to get this right.

(audience cheering) - Joining us now is Adam Sparks who has a first grader at Maplewood and is helping lead an effort to get AISD to delay the consolidation plan.

Adam, thanks so much for being with us.

- Thank you.

- So Adam, the district has put forward a proposed plan that they contend is thoughtful and based on thorough analysis, but it does include closing high performing and beloved schools like Maplewood.

In your view, what's wrong with the way AISD has gone about this?

- Well, I wouldn't use the word thoughtful.

There are 11 hours of community engagement.

They're planning to close 13 schools.

Everything is being put into a artificially short one month timeframe.

On November 20th, AISD has to answer the real problem, which is an academic problem because we have so many failing schools that TEAs threatening to take over.

They're trying to work in multiple, once in a generation changes to Austin education in a one month time period with very limited engagement in a process that is opaque and doesn't give any of the actual financials.

So we're asking AISD to get it right, do better.

If there are problems, let's fix them, but take the time that is necessary to support Austin students.

- And that being said, you brought up several factors that are very key here.

So AISD says the combination of performance, like you mentioned, budget and declining enrollment require that they take action in some capacity.

Plus also, of course you mentioned the looming threat of state takeover.

If not in the way they're doing it currently, how do you think they should instead address these challenges?

- Take a year and not a month to figure out the best plan possible for Austin students.

We have to make a plan to save the 13 schools that need turnaround plans by November 20th.

That is the only thing that is mandated on November 20th.

Everything else needs more than one month.

And boundary changes used to have committees that would take over a year to think about it.

They're saying, "Here's the plan, it's all up or down.

And if we don't do it, we're gonna get taken over by TEA."

That's not true.

We have to do the turnaround plans that require $13 million and all the other plans, we have time.

They've been saying that they're gonna run out of money.

There are school campuses that were closed in 2019 that are sitting there highly underutilized, over $20 million in land that could patch us over.

They haven't finished that school closures process.

Let's not rush this one.

- And can you tell us about the, Let's Get it Right, AISD campaign.

What's that about?

And talk about the push for delay in the consolidation plan.

- We understand that Austin has big problems.

That's why we have to get it right.

There are five main things.

Slow down, take a year, not a month.

Number two, put academics first.

Focus on the schools that are failing and then make an academic plan for the entire district.

They say they're gonna do that after they vote to close schools.

Number three, present all financial options transparently.

They've told us that they would let us know how much money would be saved by closing our school.

We haven't gotten that information.

The trustees haven't gotten that information.

Number four is that we need to engage the community in a real public engagement.

And number five, is to stop enrollment loss because that's the existential threat.

We're gonna lose 10% of AISD in the next 10 years and they don't have a plan to solve that.

- If the school board does proceed with this plan, there has been discussion of legal action to try and stop this.

Would you support that?

- I haven't thought about that.

Generally, no.

This is something that the trustees need to listen to the people and the people are telling AISD, "We have something that works in places.

Don't kill what works in order to think that you might be able to fix something in the future."

Legal action seems a bit intense.

We stand united as a district.

We just want the best plan possible.

- And you're clearly so passionate about this and at its heart, it's about our kids in schools.

Can you explain why for your first grader, Maplewood is such a special place?

- Maplewood, if you walk in there, you can't believe that it's real.

People talk about the good old days.

People talk about a diverse community of learners that draws from the neighborhood.

Maplewood is everything that every parent wants for AISD.

And they're saying close it and we're gonna give you something else.

We're not gonna define what that is.

We're not gonna tell you the plan.

We're not gonna tell you what academic programs are there.

We're not gonna tell you how much money is being saved.

We're not gonna tell you which teachers are coming.

We're not gonna tell you which academic philosophy is gonna be implemented.

Just trust us, we'll figure it out.

And if they won't show us what they plan to do, we can't trust them.

Parents are so discouraged.

Tens of thousands of parents are discouraged.

And unfortunately, it's at a time when charter schools are gobbling up students.

Vouchers are about to come in and AISD is looking at their foot and putting a bullet through it as squarely as possible.

- Well, we know this is undeniably such a difficult time for parents right now in AISD.

Thank you so much for being here to share your thoughts on the School Consolidation Plan proposal.

The Austin ISD school board will vote on the plan on November 20th.

- Thank you.

(calming music) (calming music continues) (calming music continues) - From the classroom to now, the history books, we're taking a look back at a historic event that captured the nation's attention 30 years ago this month.

In October 1995, the Million Man March in Washington DC organized by Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan and others brought hundreds of thousands of Black men to the US Capitol grounds.

Organizers said the March was intended to foster spiritual renewal among Black men and highlight issues impacting the community, including unemployment, gun violence, unfair portrayals of Black men and media among others.

A local activist, veteran and filmmaker, Glenn Towery was there at the Million Man March.

You're looking at video that he and his team shot.

- Strong Black men, upright Black men, sober Black men, together Black men, unity Black men, freedom Black men, justice Black men.

Welcome to the Million Man March.

- For this is the day that the Lord has made.

So we are here rejoicing in this day.

- We previously spoke with Glenn about his memories and the historical context of the march.

Glenn, thank you so much for being with us.

- Thank you for having me here, Laura.

- So Glenn, first, can you give us a sense of the atmosphere around this event?

What was happening around the country in 1995 that culminated in this march?

- It was really crazy in our community.

I could read newspapers from around the United States.

We had drugs, cocaine was everywhere, gangs were running everything.

It was just fear amongst us.

And then came this light, and the light was the Million Man March.

And it was a call for atonement, but that atonement meant coming back and making our communities whole.

- What was it like being there?

What stands out in your memory from that day?

- Laura, it was the most spiritual thing I've ever done in my life, besides holding my son when he was born, when he was first born, still wet.

The night itself was just the leading up to it.

We wound up staying there from 12 midnight to seven o'clock in the afternoon.

While I was there, I filmed things that no one has even captured during the Million Man March.

Men gathering, men singing in the dark, praying, the Muslims gathering together, showing great respect and pride for the moment.

It was just so spiritual.

You could touch it, it felt like something was touching.

It felt as though God himself was there.

- Oh, and clearly, you know, it's had a profound impact on you and I know so many others with this 30 year anniversary.

Of course, this event was an enormous success.

But to note Louis Farrakhan, the organizer, was certainly a polarizing figure at the time and today viewed by many as anti-Semitic.

What are your thoughts on his leadership at that march?

- I think what he did was very much needed.

He brought all of the Black communities together throughout not only the United States, but through the world.

Black men traveled from almost every continent on the earth to come there and be a part of that.

And then he did something that was very wise.

He dedicated it to atonement and to God.

He made this a spiritual movement like no other.

There's never been anything spiritual like the Million Man March.

If I was writing the Bible, I would include this moment because one of the things that a lot of people don't know this, but the Day of the Million Man March, there was not one arrest anywhere in Washington DC because everyone was together in the spirit of making a better life for Black men.

Not only Black men, we always feel that if we make things better for Black men, we make things better for everyone.

- And you know, even with the Minister Louis Farrakhan's complex legacy, what do you hope people take with them and remember from this event, maybe in another 30 years?

- I hope that we begin to understand our relationship to one another in a more spiritual light.

I hope that we begin to embrace each other and not see our cultures or our colors, but just see people.

And when we do that, when we're able to just sit down, like you and I are doing right now, in love and in the spirit of understanding, that is when America will become fulfilled.

- Indeed, conversations, especially these days are so important.

Glenn Towery, thank you so much for sharing your memories from that momentous day in 1995, the Million Man March.

- Thank you, and I'm gonna be playing my video, my documentary on Facebook.

Look for my name.

It'll be playing for the entire month from October the 16th until November the 16th.

And maybe even beyond.

- We'll keep our eyes peeled for that.

Thank you so much.

- Thank you.

(upbeat music) - Meanwhile, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Did you know in 2024, 161 Texans were killed by their intimate partner?

That's according to the latest report from the Texas Council on Family Violence.

Those victims range in age from as young as 17 to 70.

It can affect anyone.

Domestic violence is also one of the leading causes of homelessness in the state.

We previously spoke with Heather Bellino, the CEO of the Texas Advocacy Project, an organization providing resources to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

And Tina Carloni, who is a survivor of domestic violence herself.

Joining us now are Heather Bellino, the CEO of the Texas Advocacy Project, an organization providing resources to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, along with Tina Carloni, who is a survivor of domestic violence herself.

Heather and Tina, thank you both so much for being with us.

- Thank you for having us.

- Absolutely.

- So first I wanna start, can you explain how exactly the Texas Advocacy project support survivors and Tina, how has the organization helped you on your journey?

- Absolutely, think of us as a free law firm for people who are facing these atrocities.

Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse.

And we're here today to talk about domestic violence, but that might need a free civil legal service in order to get long-term safety.

So a protective order, help with a divorce, perhaps custody with your children.

Any of those that really are gonna give you that opportunity to move forward in life and to leave the abusive relationship.

- And Tina, do you wanna share how these services have helped you in your own journey?

- Other than saved my son and myself's life, (laughs) I was awarded a lifetime protection order and sole conservatorship of my son.

- Wow, that is such a testament to the work that y'all do.

And some of these things are so intimidating.

I know, I would have no idea.

Some of these legal concepts are so intimidating to so many.

And what are the signs in this awareness month?

What are the signs we all need to look out for that someone we know may be in an abusive relationship?

'Cause like I said earlier, this can affect anyone.

- Oftentimes it involves isolation, right?

Where the perpetrator is no longer letting you spend time with your family or your friends, or they wanna know where you are at all times and it just goes from there.

But really separating you from your support system is one of the biggest signs.

I mean, do you wanna share?

- Yes, you read my mind.

Isolation is for me the key indicator when you used to have a certain routine or a core group of friends or hobbies and you notice a friend is lacking in their participation in their norm schedule.

Yes, that was me.

(laughs) - And what is the best way, if someone were to see some of those signs, or maybe they're experiencing that themselves, what is the best way to help themselves or to help someone you know going through this?

- What I've learned is you cannot save anyone.

They have to save themselves.

- Yeah.

- But you can give them information regarding resources.

- I think what she's really speaking to is empowerment.

When you think about this, again, isolation is what we might see, but what is happening is power and control.

The perpetrator is removing the power from the victim and saying that, "Nobody's gonna believe you."

You're not spending time with your core group.

Your self-esteem is going to be broken down and eventually you're going to be physically harmed.

So when you can give the empowerment back to a victim so that they can then become a survivor on their own terms with what means justice to them, then we're really getting to the core of this because we have to remove that power, the power control struggle that is occurring in there.

And help a victim to get their voice back so that they can stand and say, "You know what?

This shouldn't be happening.

It shouldn't happen to me.

It shouldn't happen to anybody else."

And thank goodness the laws in Texas actually oftentimes protect a victim very well if they can access that justice system.

But attorneys are expensive.

So we're proud to be able to do this work for free and be able to provide those civil legal remedies to people like Tina, who is now an incredible survivor.

- I wouldn't be here without them.

- That is so powerful.

And why is it important to have this conversation not just every year in October, but beyond year round?

- Yeah, because one in three Texans are going to experience domestic violence or somebody in their immediate family is.

This issue is all invasive and population of Texas continues to grow and resources remain finite, if not are going down.

So it's really important for us to talk about this as a community, to say, this is not gonna be acceptable in our backyard.

We're not gonna let the Tinas of the world or the Heathers of the world, or the Lauras of the world to ever have to experience this kind of injustice.

And we need to stand up and say, "You know what?

We're gonna allocate resources and we're gonna pay attention and we're gonna make sure that people that are in harm's way have the resources necessary to get long-term safety."

- Well, that is such an amazing mission.

I know the work that y'all do is so important.

Heather Bellino with the Texas Advocacy Project, and Tina Carloni, thank you so much for both helping us understand and having the courage to share your stories.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

(upbeat music) - Before we go, we're switching gears to talk about a unique show at UT's McCullough Theater this November.

It's called "Laboratorio" and it's led by singer, songwriter and violinist Carrie Rodriguez.

It's celebrates Latina culture through music, visual arts and storytelling, featuring some Grammy winning artists.

Here's a preview with a performance about the Texas border area told through postcards from novelist Oscar Casares to his daughter.

- It was because of these postcards that I figured out a way of telling her that story about the border, the one that she, and really the rest of us needed to hear.

May 12th, 2019.

Hi, Anita.

- We now have Carrie Rodriguez, the creator of "Laboratorio" in the studio with us now.

So great to chat with you Carrie.

- So good to be here, thank you.

- So this is an annual 4-part concert series and this particular show's theme is, I love this, "Old-Time Radio Hour Edition."

Can you talk about what people can expect?

- Sure, well, so the show in general is really like a celebration and an exploration of Latino culture through music, through storytelling.

But this particular show, yes, is based around old-time radio.

We have two featured guests, musical guests who are both incredible singer/songwriters and vocalists.

And I'll be joining them as well, so you'll probably hear some three part harmony, like old school radio style, "Andrew Sisters," but more like "Trio Los Panchos," which was a great Mexican trio kind of singing style.

We have actually three radio personalities that are gonna be on stage.

We have Laurie Gallardo, host of KUTX, we have Alex Marrero, who's the drummer in our band as well.

He is also host of a Latin music show on KUTX called "Horizontes."

And we have an NPR journalist, Felix Contreras, who also hosts a show called "Alt.Latino" national podcast.

So we have a lot of radio stardom on stage in addition to incredible musicians.

And we have kind of like a variety show we'll be laying out for you.

- Well, it seems like there's a little something for everyone in this amazing nostalgic charm and we of course love our friends over at KUTX and NPR.

But what inspired you to create this in the first place?

And I wanna talk to you about the significance of the name "Laboratorio", Laboratory in English.

- Sure, well, you know, I think first of all, when I was honing in on guests for this particular show, our guests are Gaby Moreno, who's a singer-songwriter, originally from Guatemala and Mireya Ramos, another singer-songwriter.

Very powerful vocalists, both of them.

Mireya grew up in Puerto Rico, lives in the US now.

But I was just thinking about their singing styles actually.

And it was kind of making me want to hear them singing this sort of golden era of radio type music.

And another inspiration is my family, my great aunt was a performer in the 1940s and '50s.

She was much older than my grandma and I never met her, but her name was Eva Garza and she performed on a show called "Voice of America," which was broadcast where troops were stationed all over the US.

And she also performed for like a 10 year kind of time span in Mexico City on a really big radio station there.

So she was a part of the (speaking foreign language) the golden era of Mexican film and music and these kind of radio programs.

- I know you've mentioned so many amazing facets, but are you particularly excited for... Or what are you most excited for audiences to see when they come out?

- Well, as you said before, our show is called "Laboratorio" which is means laboratory in Spanish.

And it truly is.

So it's kind of like our vehicle to explore culture and learn from each other.

So usually in every "Laboratorio" show I feel like the audience and the musicians on stage are all learning together.

So I get to hear and participate with Gabby and Mireya, you know, singing their songs.

I get to listen to them, hear their stories.

Laurie Gallardol though is gonna be reading a story to us, like old fashioned radio.

She'll be reading a story about La Llorona who's, you know, very famous folk tale about this woman who haunts like the edges of the river.

And when you're growing up, you know, in like a Latino household, that's be careful, don't stray too far from home.

If you're a kid, don't go by the river or she'll take you.

- Perfect for Halloween.

- Perfect.

And also for Dia de los Muertos, which is the day of our show, November 2nd.

So yeah, we have storytelling, we have, you know, incredible music and then we have these amazing radio personalities too that'll just be guiding us through the night.

- It's certainly a feast for the senses.

And we actually wanna show you guys an excerpt from "Lost on a Cloud."

(calming music) ♪ Here we are ♪ ♪ We're lost on a cloud ♪ ♪ Darling, it's okay to while the hours away ♪ ♪ And while we're here forever ♪ ♪ I just wanna hear you laughing out loud ♪ ♪ 'Cause every little ♪ - And that is actually Gabby Moreno from a previous "Laboratorio" show.

And she is so talented, an amazing Grammy winner.

And I know I'm so excited to see her this time around.

But what do you hope from this iteration, audiences take away?

- Well I hope it makes all of us kind of take a moment to think about how we consume music and take in art.

Like I think right now we're just so used to these small sound bites and listening to one thing and moving on to the next, but maybe this will be a reminder that it feels really good to just sit down and do one thing (laughs) for a period of time.

And also I think, you know, getting to hear, for example, Laurie Gallardo telling us a story, there's nothing like having someone read you a story.

It lets you use your imagination in a different way.

It's different than reading the words in a book.

It's different than like just listening to a podcast.

'Cause you're in the room, it's live and you're being read to.

I think that's a really special experience.

So I hope we all kind of are reminded of the magic that radio can provide.

- I love that.

It really is magical.

I can't tell you the last time I was read a story, probably when I was a kid, so this is gonna be probably such a really nostalgic evening for so many people.

You can catch "Laboratorio" at 7:00 PM on November 2nd at UT's McCullough Theatre.

Carrie Rodriguez, the creator, thank you so much for being with us.

- Thank you for having me.

(upbeat music) That's our show, catch up on full episodes of "Austin InSight" in the Austin PBS app, or watch our stories on the Austin PBS YouTube channel.

Thanks so much for watching.

We'll see you next time ♪ Show me something true ♪ ♪ Let's go it tonight in this small town ♪ (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language continues) (singing in foreign language continues) - [Narrator] Support for "Austin InSight" comes from Sally and James Gavin, and also from Suerte, Este, and Bar Toti restaurants bringing Austin together around culinary excellence to celebrate creativity, conservation, and culture in central Texas.

(joyful music)