The heated fight to save nine AISD schools continues. Hundreds of Austin residents and supporters boarded buses at Zilker Elementary School to head to another community meeting Thursday night. Beforehand, they held a rally to keep Zilker open. Two thousand people have already signed an online petition.
The 72-member task force that came up with the closure list, insists the nine schools need to close for the district to combat against a possible $60 million shortfall. Some city leaders and residents say it will hurt Austin’s future growth.The task force says they are just thinking too narrowly.
Amelia Duron lives down the block from Sanchez Elementary. Her grandchildren will attend the school in a couple of years, unless it is closed, which she says will have devastating effect on her Central East Austin neighborhood.
“If you close it down it's like burying somebody," Duron said. "Our school is our second home, our second family."
Sanchez is one of eight elementary schools now on the chopping block to close. Pearce Middle School is on the list as well.
A facilities task force recommended shutting down the nine buildings to save the district $100 million over the next 10 years. Nearly all the schools are in Central Austin.
Last night Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell released a statement saying: "The prospect of closing the successful central city schools clearly runs counter to our community's long term planning goals.” He added he does not believe parents will move into or stay in Austin neighborhoods if there are not good schools there.
Task force chair Janet Mitchell says the buildings on the list are too small and require significant repair. She says consolidating schools in to one, big community school should help the city grow better. Mitchell says when it comes to Austin and schools, residents and parents need to start thinking outside the box.
"We have over a dozen exemplary elementary schools with over 700 kids in them," Michell said. "I think that may be the model; not schools with 250 kids or less."
For residents, including Duron, the end of Sanchez Elementary could be the end of the neighborhood too.
"What’s left for us here if they move the school?" Duron said.
Now a majority of schools on the list are over capacity, including Zilker Elementary. However, the task force says it is due to transfers, not because of the neighborhood population. It also adds it has looked at every possible way to save money and it believes this is the best way.
The task force will present its findings and feedback to the trustees in February. They are expected to vote in March.
