(Lea esta historia en español.)

By Anne Drabicky & Ali Ghilarducci

As part of the district’s 2017 Bond Program, Eastside Memorial Early College High School and International High School—both currently located at the Johnston Campus—will soon move to a new permanent site. 

On Thursday, trustees will consider whether to officially approve the new name proposed by the school’s campus advisory council: Eastside Early College High School.

The Original L.C. Anderson High School served as Austin’s only Black high school for more than 80 years until it was closed in 1971 during desegregation. And though it has been closed for 50 years, it remains a vital presence for the community.

“We all looked forward to going to L.C. Anderson High School. We had pride—in the education, the teachers, the athletics, the band,” said L.M. Rivers Jr., a 1969 graduate and current president of the Old L.C. Anderson Alumni Association. “As young kids, we all were a part of seeing the activities there and we couldn’t wait till we could be a part of that. It was the heart of East Austin, well known near and far.”

When the modernized school for Eastside and International High School students opens at 900 Thompson St. this summer, the presence of L.C. Anderson High School will be unmistakable. In addition to several historical re-creations of the original structure, built in 1953, the new school will have dedicated community space and an exhibition gallery for the Original L.C. Anderson Alumni Association to host meetings and lead public tours.

“The new school is a community campus,” said Eastside Principal Miguel Garcia. “It belongs to all of us.

The school will also feature three corridor displays devoted to capturing the legacy of the school. The grand opening of the new campus is scheduled to overlap with the 50th anniversary of the school closing. 

Barbara Spears-Corbett, Class of 1970, described how the high school brought together the entire Black community in East Austin. She said she hopes today’s students will feel that connection to the past as they start their own futures

“Any program that was held at Anderson, we all showed up. People were surprised, especially when the faculty was integrated, they were surprised that the whole community would show up to see the program,” she said. “That’s the sense of pride and community that we’re hoping that, as Eastside comes to that campus, that students feel this and build on it.”

The modernization budget for Eastside Memorial Early College High School and International High School at the Original L.C. Anderson is $80 million, part of a $146.5 million overall investment for the Eastside Memorial family of schools. That figure represents a $43,084 investment per student, the highest per-student investment of 2017 Bond funds.

Rivers and Spears-Corbett said the alumni association supports the proposed name for the new modernized facility. While Eastside Early College High School would be the name of the school, the site will continue to be recognized as L. C. Anderson.

“‘Eastside’ is truly appropriate and representative of this whole community,” Spears-Corbett said. “[We hope] students can see the love that went into this school for them, the historical significance of stepping on to that campus, taking that piece of history and moving forward with it.”

Meeting Highlights

This week’s Regular Voting Meeting will also include recognition of Earth Week and Pride Week, both celebrated throughout the district with lessons, activities and more.

April is also National Arab American Heritage Month, Autism Awareness Month and School Library Month, all of which will be highlighted by Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde. 

Trustees will hear a presentation on the district’s goals to ensure that students graduate ready for college, career and life, also known as CCMR, or College, Career & Military Readiness. One goal is for that readiness—as measured by military enlistment, enrollment in a postsecondary institution or completion of an industry certification or license—will increase to 81% by the 2021–22 school year. That rate currently stands at 76%.

On Consent

• 11.1: Monthly budget amendment
• 12.1: Contract for districtwide security camera replacement
• 13.2: Renewal of the district’s agreement with Let’s Talk/K12 Insight, which provides the platform that helps students, staff and community get quick answers to their questions.

For complete details, including how to sign up to share Public Testimony, please view the agenda online.