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AISD opens rebuilt, modernized T.A. Brown Elementary School closed since 2016
The new T.A. Brown doesn't disappoint. It has plenty of natural lighting, contemporary furniture, and plenty of outdoor playscapes and scenery.
AUSTIN, Texas - Isabela Vaca was attending Webb Primary School and had to be placed in the portables for class when T.A. Brown Elementary School consolidated with them.
"Webb was really little, we didn't have that much space, the classroom was small. There were no windows," the student said, speaking of the portables.
RELATED: Demolition of T.A. Brown Elementary due to structural issues
Brown closed in 2016 after being deemed structurally unsafe. Students were sent to Reilly and the Allan Facility for the remainder of that school year. The district got to work on planning and identified the lessons learned.
“The facilities plan that we have is a great investment in the future of our community. When we have a facilities bond planning process that allows us to identify the needs in our community before we get to this point, I think that's the real lesson learned,” said AISD board of trustees president Geronimo Rodriguez. "There's also another lesson. We have to be accountable and transparent about the way we are using our funds."
The new T.A. Brown doesn't disappoint. It has plenty of natural lighting, contemporary furniture, and plenty of outdoor playscapes and scenery.
RELATED: T.A. Brown Elementary School closed indefinitely
“We are going to have 4H coming in with our goats, the sciences. We will have kitchens, we will have demonstration kitchens,” said Veronica Sharp, principal at T.A. Brown.
“Having this outdoor learning having the kids go outside and either plant something or go out and do anything with math like the geometric shapes we have around,” said teacher Petra Ocampo.
A former Webb Middle School teacher, Ocampo remembers the struggle of being in portable classrooms.
RELATED: Teachers and parents reflect on T.A. Brown Elementary as demolition crews tear it down
“Coming to this new facility it's very exciting because now we don't have to worry as much about weather,” she said.
“We had a school that debilitated, our community came together, voted on a $1 billion bond package, the largest in the history of our school district to invest in our schools," said Rodriguez.
The district says there is more of this to come, due to that bond money. There will be a ribbon-cutting for the brand new Menchaca Elementary School Friday, Jan. 10 at 9 a.m. There will also be an open house to follow on Saturday at 10 a.m.