The New Braunfels ISD Board of Trustees has approved the conveyance of the building that formerly housed New Braunfels High School and the NBISD Administration Center to the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative (NBYC). This move will mark a new chapter for the historic property which will continue to retain its legacy of serving the youth of New Braunfels.

NBISD currently owns the properties located at 407 W. Mill Street, and 430 W. Mill Street, which has been designated as historic property. The building has served as a center for education in some form or fashion since its opening in 1855 – from the schooling of various grade levels to the housing of central office staff – the property has served our youth for almost 200 years.

“We will be maintaining all the requirements to keep it a historic landmark,” said Stacey Dickey, Executive Director of the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative.

The NBYC has raised $13 million to invest into the building. Over the coming year, the NBYC will be renovating the former Education Center at 430 W Mill Street and Gymnasium at 407 W Mill Street.

“We will create spaces for homework, learning, connecting, playing, and growing. The 26,000 sq’ building and full-size gymnasium will become a home away from home for our youth,” Dickey said.

The program’s pillars will focus on Academic Success to include tutoring and career readiness, Wellness Mentoring like financial literacy and peer mediation, Enrichment Experiences such arts, STEM and eSports and Healthy Lifestyles like fitness and nutrition.

NBISD determined that no future instructional plans for the facilities on W. Mill Street existed in 2023 when NBISD and the NBYC entered into a $1/year, 50-year lease. As a part of the lease agreement, NBISD retained all financial responsibility for property insurance and major building components like HVAC, roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems for the duration of the lease term, while only receiving $50 in lease revenue.

Over the course of 50 years, the District’s financial responsibility would be in excess of millions of dollars. NBISD Administration believed that placing the district in this financial situation would not make sense in a time when the school funding system has not kept up with inflation. Since the District previously determined that these facilities were surplus when it approved the lease, NBISD recommended that the board consider donating these properties to NBYC.

Moving forward, NBYC will be responsible for all future financial concerns with these facilities.

The NBYC will utilize the buildings and offer free programs to middle school and high school aged students. The NBYC will provide a wide range of programs and activities for students during their out-of-school time. At the Mill Street Youth Center. The NBYC will offer spaces for homework to eSports, STEM activities, a performing arts stage and more.

“I want to thank the NBYC organization for taking this on as it’s a much-needed resource for our community and I’m excited to see what’s in store for the future,” said NBISD Board Vice President Nancy York.