The future of over a dozen empty school buildings in San Antonio has sparked a call for community involvement. Following the San Antonio Independent School District's (SAISD) "Rightsizing" plan, which led to the closure of 15 schools to address funding and utilization issues, the district's Repurposing Panel is reaching out to local residents for their input on potential uses for the vacated structures. According to a report by KSAT, monthly meetings are being convened to discuss possible future scenarios for the buildings.

Renee Watson, a panel member and SAISD alum, emphasized the critical role of community engagement, stating, "We want active engagement," in a statement obtained by KSAT. Watson also brought to light the district's consideration of financial viability and the importance of not diverting funds from classrooms. She placed a call for community members, to be proactive in the decision-making process and for potential investors in need of space to step forward. The district has also enlisted a consulting group of real estate experts to provide guidance, further reinforcing their commitment to a collaborative and practical approach.

Earlier in June, SAISD hosted consultants from the realtor realm, courtesy of a grant from the National Association of Realtors. The consultant team delved into the matter by reviewing data, visiting the sites, and conducting interviews. Their initial recommendations, as detailed by Texas Public Radio (TPR), included categorizing buildings according to their potential uses, like city-run early childhood centers, job training facilities, health care, housing, or fresh food markets,

"Your mission is in education, and we want to be able to help you manage the real estate in a way that is not taking away from your mission so you can focus on your priority of educating students," consultant team leader Jacqueline Buhn told TPR, suggesting paths forward that align with the district's core objectives. The team is set to provide SAISD's repurposing committee with a complete report in 60 days. As this planning phase continues, the public is encouraged to participate in the dialogue by reaching out via email or attending one of the Repurposing Panel meetings, with more information available through the district's communication channels.