AUSTIN, Texas - The school once welcomed hundreds of students at the start of every school year, but now, it stood silent for the first time in 60 years.

"Whatever comes our way, we have learned that we can take challenges," assured T.A. Brown Principal Veronica Sharp.

Last year, Austin ISD found the school was too dangerous to keep open and shut it down immediately. School leaders had to think fast about where to send their students.

T.A. Brown students were split up between Reilly and Allan Elementary when their school was shut down. Now, they have been reunited at Barrington Elementary.

"It is important that we keep schools together and now, they're closer to home,” said AISD Superintendent Paul Cruz. “That was really important to us in the decision making."

"We're living that today, and we're together again," exclaimed Sharp.

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The school district thought Barrington elementary was a perfect fit.

"T.A. Brown, the site, is actually closer here than where we relocated the school previously,” Cruz explained. “Also, there was enough space in the area to bring in enough portables for students to use."

Thirteen portables temporarily housed the more than 300 additional students.

"At one time, Barrington was even bigger than both schools combined,” said Barrington Elementary Principal Gilma Sanchez. “So, for us, it wasn't that big of a transition."

T.A. Brown may have lost its physical home, but its spirit is still alive and strong.

"T.A. Brown, the best school in town that is college-bound,” Sharp chanted. “And we are still around town."

T.A. Brown is included in Austin ISD's proposed $1 billion bond. Should it pass, construction for the new school will start in June.