AUSTIN -- On Monday night, the Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the modernization of Norman Elementary School in East Austin.
Under the $1 billion bond passed by voters in November 2017, Austin ISD will rebuild the school as a state-of-the-art facility that would turn it into a "21st century learning environment," according to the district.
The decision is part of the Norman-Sims Modernization Project.
Community members came out in full force Monday night to voice their concerns about the board's interest in modernizing only Normal Elementary School and not Sims Elementary School, which was also under consideration.
"I think all community members want both schools to receive resources that would increase education for all," parent Reedy Spigner said at the meeting.
Another speaker expressed concern that a new building won't improve academic excellence.
"A new building by itself will not improve student achievement," Casey Seeboth said. "Building a community that embraces learning and takes pride in its accomplishments and receives encouragement and support from the neighborhood and district is key."
Board members discussed the agenda item for more than an hour before voting for the approval.
District 3 Board Member Ann Teich suggested motioning to postpone the vote to April 23 so that the district could better address concerns and engage the community about what the vote would mean, but she was unsuccessful.
The new modernized school is expected to open August 2020. According to the district, beginning August 2018, students from Norman Elementary will move into Sims Elementary during the construction period.
The future of Sims Elementary School is yet to be determined.