Austin ISD and Community Leaders Explore Repurposing Schools for Community Resilience Hubs

The Austin - 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force convened on August 25, 2025, to discuss community needs and potential uses for public assets in light of the upcoming bond election. The meeting featured contributions from various community members, emphasizing the importance of leveraging existing facilities to address pressing local issues.

Jeremy Shriffler, the Director of Real Estate for the Austin Independent School District (AISD), opened the discussion by highlighting the district's role beyond education. He noted that AISD facilities serve as community hubs, including parks and emergency shelters. Shriffler stressed the need for strategic planning in the bond process, advocating for a holistic approach that considers assets from various public entities, including the city and county. He pointed out the ongoing conversations about school consolidations and the opportunities they present for repurposing underutilized sites to better serve community needs, such as affordable housing and access to amenities.

Alexandria Anderson, representing the East MLK contact team and the Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association, followed with a focus on the repurposing of Sims Elementary School. She emphasized the potential for transforming the school into a multifunctional resilience hub. Anderson proposed utilizing existing structures for community engagement, food distribution, and health services. She highlighted the importance of addressing food insecurity in the area, suggesting the establishment of community kitchens and gardens to promote sustainability and food independence.

The discussions underscored a collective vision for creating healthier neighborhoods through innovative uses of public spaces. Participants expressed a commitment to fostering community resilience and addressing disparities in access to resources. The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration among community members, public agencies, and local organizations to maximize the impact of the upcoming bond election on Austin's evolving needs.