Former elementary in Austin, Texas, will become child care center for district employees

The Austin (Texas) district is converting a former elementary school to a childcare center for district employees.

The Austin Chronicle reports that $3 million in federal funding will help renovate the former Pease Elementary School, which the district closed in 2020.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett said the building will be renovated from the roof to the landscaping. The second floor will house offices for the United Way for Greater Austin, a partner on the project, and learning labs for early childhood educators. The bottom floor will provide childcare for up to 120 students, aged 6 months to 5 years.

The affordable childcare will be a crucial resource to help Austin recruit and retain teachers and staff, officials say.

The Pease building is a 35,704-square-foot school facility constructed in 1953, the district says. It sits on a 2.1- acre site in downtown Austin just blocks away from the Texas State Capitol 

The updated facility is expected to open in fall 2024.