AUSTIN (KXAN) — An orchestra teacher wants to get actor Matthew McConaughey’s help saving her school from closure.
Bedichek Middle School, which was featured in the 1993 cult classic film “Dazed and Confused,” is one of 13 schools that Austin Independent School District proposed to close, in order to address the district’s nearly $20 million budget shortfall.
On Instagram, Bedichek’s orchestra teacher Samantha Stewart posted, “Alright, alright, alright. Help us blow this post up! We are fighting to keep the music playing at Bedichek Middle School.”
Stewart has worked as Bedichek’s orchestra teacher for 13 years. The professional violinist has helped secure $80,000 in grants, ensuring all students can play an instrument, and oversaw the program as it received the highest distinction of excellence at the University Interscholastic League the past two years, according to the district’s website. She’s also seen the school go from more than 1,000 students in 2012, to fewer than 700 students in 2025.
Bedichek and the other 12 campuses that will require a state-approved “turnaround” plan after earning its third consecutive “F” rating from the state.
“We just had two kids make all-region orchestra, which is a huge deal for our school because most of them don’t have private lessons. There is so much good. Our football team is currently undefeated,” Stewart said. “We have so many wonderful programs here. So, I just feel like that F-rating does not encompass our whole campus.”
Students also joined the effort to keep Bedichek open, walking out of class on Tuesday and chanting “Save Our School!”
The district’s draft consolidation plan would “temporarily close” Bedichek and re-zone its students to four different campuses based on their address. The district’s plan discusses reopening the middle school as a K-8 campus, but it does not provide a specific date for when that would happen.
The district is holding the first of a series of open house discussions on Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. where they will discuss the consolidation plan. The Tuesday meeting will focus on schools impacted by the plan in South Austin. You can register for the meeting here.
The school board is expected to vote on the plan on Nov. 20.
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