New start for troubled school

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Hundreds gathered at a northeast Austin school tonight to celebrate the re-opening of Pearce Middle School in northeast Austin.

Pearce Middle School was set to close after failing to meet state requirements for the last eight out of ten years. Now the school is on a new path, with a new leader, nearly all new teachers and several new students. The repurposing plan was accepted by the Texas Education Administration a little less than 2 weeks ago.

The new principal hired on Monday, is now working to replace 75% of the teachers. The school must also open with 50% new students. However, Saturday was a day for celebration after a long stressful summer.

"It’s been hectic, were happy now but its been hectic,” said Remanda Spivey, parent.

Incoming seventh grader Desire Spivey and her mom Remanda spent months waiting.

"We didn't know whether to buy the uniforms or not,” said Spivey.

They still remember when news broke the school would close.

"I was at work she called me and told me mom our school is closed and she started crying my friends my teachers where are we going to go,” explained Spivey.

Spivey did not have answers for her daughter, the school district did not even know.

"It’s been a real challenge for the community its been very hard on families and staff you can imagine the stop start open not open back and forth it wears on a school,” said Dr. Meria Carstarphen, AISD Superintendent.

In just the last week AISD has enrolled 525 students at Pearce. They believe by the time class starts August 24th they will have 600 kids.

The new principal with a record of turning schools around in Round Rock is rolling up her sleeves.

“It’s been crazy but its been exciting to be able to come to a place like Pearce where the community has fought to keep the school open," said Trana Allen, Principal.

Allen says a key part in student success is having ‘teacher teams’ that will work with the same students and will be held responsible for student success. Right now she is seeking out the best teachers she can find.

"We’ve spent the last few evenings here hiring,” said Allen. “We’ve been here all morning hiring teachers as well we've gotten a nice chunk of it taken care of but were still looking for some."

Allen said about seven teachers still need to be hired.