AISD announces new site for elementary school

AISD announces new site for elementary school

By Darcie Duttweiler Wednesday, 03 September 2008

Austin ISD approved a location for a new Southwest Austin elementary school Aug. 25 as part of the 2004 Bond Program.

The site in the Meridian subdivision was donated by Stratus Properties under the condition that AISD would build on the location within 10 years after 25 percent of the community was developed, a stage that was completed last year.

AISD facilities executive director Paul Turner said the district is working on the design with the architect and performing additional environmental studies.

"It's going to have a two-story element to keep the impervious cover low," he said.

Construction will likely begin next semester and be completed by fall of 2010. With families filling the Meridian subdivision rapidly, Turner said by 2013 the neighborhood's children will be able to fill two schools.

"We wanted to get a start out there and take care of some of the capacity," he said.

The construction will start with 32 classrooms, which is enough to accommodate approximately 700 students. AISD will leave room to expand to 40 classrooms in the future should the need arise. This could hold 850 to 900 students.

"We don't want elementary schools to reach above 800 students," Turner said. "We're trying to relieve Clayton, which is already over 900."

AISD is also seeking community input on the naming of the new middle school located at Slaughter Lane and FM 1826 that will open next fall. Go here http://www.austinisd.org/schools/swms/ to suggest a name.