Parents rally to save Pearce Middle School

Austin, Texas (KXAN) -- Parents and staff at Pearce Middle School rallied Tuesday to find ways to keep the institution open.

The Texas Education Agency is considering closing it or handing it over to alternative management after students earned low test scores for the past three years.

Yet the school has strong support from the community, which is pushing for change within, rather than for a change of scenery.

"Buildings do not teach, nor do desks -- it's brick and mortar," said Cheryl Bradley, a board member for the Austin Independent School District. "If you close this school down, it's like you're taking out a piece of your heart and throwing it in the trash can."

"I don't understand why we let these middle schools go into the third year of low performing before everybody decides that it's time to put the right resources in the school for these children," said Helen Miller. "The TAKS test should be a speed bump, y'all."

There was no word Tuesday on when the TEA will make a decision on the middle school.