The Wichita Falls (Texas) school district has broken ground for construction of two new high schools in Wichita Falls.
News Channel 6 reports that district and community leaders gathered at both the west and east site locations to commemorate the start of the projects.
Actual construction crews won’t be out until this fall, but those who attended the event said it was an important step in the district moving forward.
“It comes to reality today when you see everyone put their shovels into the ground,” Wichita Falls Mayor Stephen Santellana says. “You can hold your head high now knowing your kid is going to one of these high schools,."
Funding for the new high schools was included in a $276 million bond proposal that voters approved in 2020.
The two high schools will replace the three schools that are now in use. Wichita Falls High School will be closed, and Rider High School and Hirschi High School will be converted to middle schools.
The new high schools are scheduled to open in Fall 2024.
Each high school will have capacity for 1,900 students, the district says. They will have identical floor plans, but will be outfitted with personalized colors, materials and finishes.
Adaptable spaces with mobile furniture and operable walls will accommodate varied group sizes. Technology integration will enable the schools to provide a blended-learning environment.
Each campus also will have a tornado shelter.
