Latest news with #Segura
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Facing mounting deficit, Austin ISD will cut central office staff, weighs school closures
The Austin school district will be reorganizing its central office, including eliminating and reassigning positions, as part of its ongoing effort to cut its budget deficit from $97 million to $78 million. The district's austerity measures also align with discussions about potentially closing schools within the next year to slash long-term expenses. Officials say these measures are essential to maintain financial stability, after a year of budget cuts aimed at reducing a deficit that had grown to $110 million by January. The central office cuts will involve both staff reductions and reassignments, Superintendent Matias Segura wrote in a public letter Friday. 'We recognize the timing of this announcement puts a strain on our central employees,' Segura said in the letter. 'Please know we did not arrive at this decision lightly.' The district is projecting a budget deficit of $19 million for the 2025-26 school year, but won't reach that target without making significant changes, interim Chief Financial Officer Katrina Montgomery told school board members during a meeting last week. This could put the district's fund balance — or cash on hand — at risk, she said. 'That puts us in the place where we might have to borrow to cover payroll as well as accounts payable,' Montgomery said. District leaders cut $63 million from the 2024-25 budget through spending and hiring freezes and streamlining operations, according to district officials. However, the district's predicted costs have also risen this year. When the Austin school board adopted its 2024-25 budget last summer, it predicted a $78 million deficit. Since then, the district received $14 million less in property tax revenue, overspent by $40 million on special education, and lost $12 million in federal Medicaid reimbursements. The district has pledged approximately $1.7 million each to three North Austin middle schools — Burnet, Dobie, and Webb — next year to improve their state-rated F rankings. As part of long-term efforts to reduce costs, the district expects to close some of its 116 campuses before the 2026-27 school year and has pledged to announce its plans before the end of this year. Earlier this month, district officials announced plans for community conversations over the summer and to develop a framework for identifying schools that may be considered for closure. Officials don't expect to release the list of potential schools up for closure until the fall. The district has grappled with declining enrollment for nearly a decade, resulting in smaller student populations at some schools and a loss of state funding. Texas funds school districts per child in attendance. The district's student population has declined by about 10% since 2019, when it enrolled 79,787 students. Current enrollment, at 72,244 this year, has remained relatively steady since 2022. In discussing possible school closures, the Austin district joins other urban or large suburban districts around the state, like Fort Worth and Spring Branch, seeking ways to temper crippling budget shortfalls. The Austin district is asking families and community members to fill out a survey about possible school closures, or consolidations, by June 6. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: AISD will cut central office staff, weigh school closures amid deficit
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MusiCares Executive Director Laura Segura Leaves Post in Sudden Departure
Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares, the Recording Academy's charity-focused partner organization, has departed from her post after five years in the role, according to the Recording Academy's website and an email sent to staff by CEO Harvey Mason Jr. The abruptness, wording and timing of the announcement, which was sent to staff over the Memorial Day holiday — a common time for burying news — and the Academy's lack of response to press inquiries suggests a less-than-smooth departure. The memo announced a 'key leadership transition' and stated that Segura is 'no longer with MusiCares.' It continued that Theresa Wolters, who is the organization's head of health and human services, 'is stepping into the role of interim executive director.' The change is reflected in the MusiCares website, which no longer includes Segura's name and lists Wolters as 'interim' executive director. Reps for the Recording Academy did not respond to Variety's requests for further information over the weekend; Billboard first reported the news on Saturday. More from Variety No Fakes Act Reintroduced in Congress With Support From Google, RIAA, More Music Industry Moves: Kendrick Lamar Collaborator MTech Inks Deal With Sony Music Publishing Grateful Dead's MusiCares Salute Is Heavy on Gratitude, as All-Star Cast Shares the Lovefest With Bob Weir and Mickey Hart MusiCares, which was founded in 1989 an independent 501(c)(3) charity, has paid out well over $100 million in relief to musicians and music executives over the years, including more than $30 million in COVID relief to the music community during the pandemic and $10 million in Los Angeles wildfire relief earlier this year. Additionally, $16 million was raised by MusiCares and the Recording Academy during Grammy weekend via its Fire Relief campaign and its annual Persons of the Year gala, which honored the Grateful Dead. Segura spoke of the organization's efforts at the event. However, along with its admirable service to the music community, the organization's top role has been troubled in recent years. Segura's predecessor, Dana Tomarken, was abruptly fired in April of 2018 after 25 years with the Academy, resulting in her filing a wrongful-termination lawsuit against the Academy. The lawsuit included a withering 4,500-word letter Tomarken wrote to the Academy's Board of Trustees that essentially said she was being blamed for the financial losses the Academy took in holding the Grammy Awards in New York that year, rather than its usual home base of Los Angeles. She accused former chairman/president Neil Portnow of brokering a deal without her knowledge to hold the organization's annual Person of the Year event at a venue that left the charity with a significant loss in its fundraising efforts, after she had made arrangements to hold the event at a competing venue. The Grammy Awards were held in New York that year for the first time since 2003, leading to a $5 million shortfall for the show, which Tomarken claimed Portnow attempted to cover by steering funds away from MusiCares. She also accused Portnow of running a 'boys' club' and said she was terminated 'after a painful year of trying to protect MusiCares from being exploited, enduring ongoing instances of workplace abuse and harassment' from two male coworkers whom she named in the letter. Portnow and the Academy denied any wrongdoing; the lawsuit was settled out of court in November of 2019. Her departure left MusiCares without an official leader when the pandemic began just four months later, but Mason and MusiCares chair/Amazon Music chief Steve Boom took the reins and began distributing relief money almost immediately. Segura was named executive director in May of 2020; she had been the Recording Academy's vice president of membership and industry relations for the previous seven years. Variety will have more on the situation as it develops. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Q&A with Danny Segura: Ilia Topuria splits with coaches, Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall wait
With no episode of 'Spinning Back Clique' this week, MMA Junkie is hosting a special live stream Q&A with reporter Danny Segura on Monday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT). Segura will take your questions regarding the latest topics in the world of MMA. There's always plenty to talk about in combat sports with Ilia Topuria parting ways with his long-time coaches Jorge and Agustin Climent weeks away from his UFC 317 title fight against Charles Oliveira, the latest in the never-ending drama around Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, this Saturday's Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber women's flyweight contest, and much more. Watch MMA Junkie's live Q&A with Segura in the video above, and submit your questions in the YouTube live chat. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: MMA Q&A with Danny Segura: Ilia Topuria, Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Jean Segura retires from MLB after 12 seasons, leaving behind a legacy with Phillies, Mariners, and Brewers
Jean Segura shocks MLB with sudden retirement, leaving behind a notable career across multiple franchises (Getty Images) After over a decade of consistency in MLB , Jean Segura has officially announced his retirement, drawing the curtain on a memorable 12-year career that took him across six franchises and left a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike. Two-time All-Star Jean Segura retires The announcement was made through CAA Sports, Segura's agency, via Instagram on Wednesday. The post honored the 35-year-old infielder's accomplishments, stating, 'Congratulations to Jean Segura on an incredible MLB career.' With that, the baseball world took a moment to reflect on one of the game's most quietly impactful players. — MLB (@MLB) Segura's journey began with the Los Angeles Angels, but he soon found his rhythm during stints with the Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks. It was in 2016, while donning a Diamondbacks uniform, that Segura reached peak form—leading the National League with 203 hits and notching a career-best 6.6 WAR. His consistency at the plate and relentless energy on the field made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for opposing pitchers. One of his most memorable chapters came during his two-season run with the Seattle Mariners from 2017 to 2018. Acquired in a blockbuster trade that also brought Mitch Haniger to Seattle, Segura quickly lived up to his nickname in the Pacific Northwest—'Jean, Jean, the hitting machine.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He posted a .302 batting average, with 7.1 bWAR, and made the 2018 American League All-Star team. His three-run homer off Josh Hader in the All-Star Game that year remains one of the highlights of his Mariners tenure. Despite his individual brilliance, team success often eluded Segura. He reached the postseason only once, during the Philadelphia Phillies ' 2022 World Series run. Though the Phillies ultimately fell short against the Houston Astros, that playoff appearance was a long-overdue reward for a player who had consistently delivered throughout his career. His final stint in the majors came in 2023 with the Miami Marlins, closing out a career stat line that includes a .281 batting average, 1,545 hits, 110 home runs, 513 RBIs, 211 stolen bases, and an OPS of .729. For fans who followed him from Milwaukee to Miami, Jean Segura's career was never about flash. It was about reliability, heart, and a tireless work ethic. As he steps away from the game, the legacy he leaves behind is one of grit, grace, and a bat that never stopped swinging. Also Read: Why Juan Soto's effort against the Red Sox is raising eyebrows among fans, teammates and pundits alike Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
San Francisco Chronicle
22-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Two-time All-Star infielder Jean Segura retires after 12-year major league career
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jean Segura, a two-time All-Star infielder who hit .281 in a 12-year major league career with six teams, announced his retirement. Segura's announcement was made on social media Wednesday by his agent, CAA Sports, and the Philadelphia Phillies, for whom he played from 2019-22. The 35-year-old Segura last played in the major leagues in 2023, with the Miami Marlins. He was an All-Star in 2013 with the Milwaukee Brewers and 2018 with the Seattle Mariners. Segura led the National League with 203 hits in 2016, while with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also played for the Los Angeles Angels. He lone postseason appearance was in 2022, with the Phillies. He finished his career with 1,545 hits, 513 RBIs, 110 home runs and 211 stolen bases in 1,413 games.
