Board Update about Senate Bill 2

On behalf of my colleagues and friends on the Board of Trustees, we hope you and yours had a Fall Break that was both restful and rejuvenating.

I am writing to inform the community that the Headwaters Board of Trustees has decided not to accept state voucher funds for the 2026-2027 school year. The board will continue to monitor the legislation and observe its impact on private and independent schools in Austin and across the state. 

Since last spring, the board, with the support of Ted and his team, has been researching, debating, and discussing Senate Bill 2, now referred to as TEFA (Texas Education Freedom Accounts). Our efforts have been informed by robust parent and guardian survey results, along with survey input from the faculty and staff. Because we believe so deeply in creating education with the students, not to students, we asked Ted to engage middle and high school students about the legislation. This was done at Pitsos and resulted in two lunch meetings–one for middle school students and the other for high schoolers. These sessions became living examples of the PACT in action. At a lunch meeting with high schoolers, joined by three trustees, students led with clarity, courage, and curiosity—embodying the very independence and advocacy we strive to cultivate.

As a Board, our job is to steward the school responsibly and protect its mission. Thanks to years of careful planning, our school is in a strong financial position—one that supports our continued growth and deepens our connection to the Austin community.

Our decision not to accept state vouchers for the 2026–2027 school year reflects that commitment. We must safeguard the educational autonomy that makes our program unique. At this time, the voucher legislation does not provide enough clarity that our autonomy would remain fully protected. It is also unclear whether these funds would be consistently available to the families we serve or support the thoughtful, mission-aligned growth of our community.

Working with the leadership team, we will post this information on the School’s website and share it with prospective families. We will also continue partnering with Ted and his team to build a strategic budget and plan for the 2026–2027 school year.

In response to the qualitative feedback from last September’s survey, the board is exploring ways to expand accessibility through our financial aid program. We are also staying in close conversation with peer schools—both Montessori and IB—as well as our accrediting body, the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS).

If you want to learn more, please plan to attend one of two Pathways to Progress sessions in early 2026. These meetings are designed to provide an update on our finances and strategic priorities. More specific location details will be shared soon.

I hope to see you at some of the celebratory events in the coming weeks.

All the best in 2026,

Magdalena Vial

Chair, Headwaters Board of Trustees