AUSTIN, Texas – The future of three East Austin elementary schools are at stake in Monday night’s school board meeting.

  • 3 East Austin elementary schools debated
  • Facing under enrollment
  • Could be consolidated

The Austin Independent School District will discuss which schools will keep their doors open amid concerns of under-enrollment. The three schools in question are Sanchez, Metz and Zavala elementary schools, all located on the east side.

School officials said those schools have been under enrolled, and they are looking to consolidate them eventually. On Monday night, they will be deciding on plans to modernize Sanchez Elementary.

Metz, Zavala, and other under enrolled schools within the district, will be subjected to what school officials call a "Targeted Utilization Plan" for two years. They will look into partnering up with the community, or even the city, on using those spaces.

The campuses could be turned into magnet schools, which provide specialized education, in arts, business or health care.

Metz and Zavala have two years to increase utilization of their campuses or they could be consolidated with Sanchez Elementary. If approved, they will decide on where to send Sanchez students and staff during construction, which could take two years to complete.

"Staff that are in good standing with AISD, if for some reason their position is no longer needed in one school anymore, we do commit to find them another position within the district," said Jocelyn Connell with Austin ISD.

The meeting is Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. The final decision on consolidating the campuses will be in December 2020.