T
he San Antonio Independent School District may lease out 15 shuttered campuses, rather than selling them. The district partnered with the San Antonio Board of Realtors to explore alternative uses for the vacant buildings through a report by the Counselors of Real Estate's Consulting Corps. Suggestions included repurposing the schools into healthcare facilities, senior centers, affordable housing, and community hubs.

    The district aims to retain ownership while exploring leasing opportunities to cover maintenance, insurance, and security costs. The consultants warned that transitioning the properties would be time-consuming and complex, but partnering with external entities could facilitate a smoother process.

    To keep the properties active in the short term, the report suggested hosting community events like farmers markets, swap meets, and pop-up restaurants. In the long term, buildings that remain vacant after a certain period should be demolished or sold, according to the consultants.

    The district closed 15 campuses due to declining enrollment, partly driven by a shortage of affordable housing in the area. The schools are dispersed around the city's center, with all located inside Loop 410. The Consulting Corps conducted extensive research, visiting each property and interviewing 75 stakeholders.

    To further engage the community, the school district plans to hire another firm to facilitate public meetings and gather input on how best to utilize these sites.