Austin ISD to consider monetization of former school

The Austin ISD board of trustees will consider monetizing a former school currently being used as a training facility for law enforcement.

The background

The former Rosedale School, located at 2117 W. 49th St., Austin, opened in 1939 to serve special education students. After the approval of the 2017 bond, AISD officials began efforts to create a modernized facility, following calls to upgrade the school’s outdated infrastructure.

The school vacated in February 2022 and moved north to a newer location at the former Lucy Read Pre-K campus on 7505 SilverCrest Drive, Austin. In February 2024, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office began using the old Rosedale location to train law enforcement officers, including the AISD Police Department and Travis County Constables.

The big picture

The resolution comes at a time when AISD faces a $119 million budget deficit. If the resolution passes, the district will look to monetize the site through the lease or sale of the 4.62 acre tract of land, according to AISD agenda documents.

Rosedale is one of six schools being repurposed by AISD.

What’s next

The board will vote on the resolution Oct. 24 at their next board voting meeting.