TEXARKANA, Texas - Margaret Fischer Davis Elementary School will open its doors for staff and students this morning.
Pleasant Grove Independent School District's new addition will contain 33 classrooms, several multi-purpose learning spaces, a media center, gymnasium, and cafeteria. The campus also has four grade-level collaboration learning areas equipped with makerspace instructional resources, flexible seating and extensive technology.
It is located at 2800 Galleria Oaks.
The district's Board of Trustees will assemble at the School on Monday at 7:15 a.m. to welcome students.
The district broke ground on the school on April 22, 2019. The construction was expected to come in just over $14 million and be completed in July. COVID-19 and bad weather contributed to delays.
It is funded through a $19.9 million bond voters approved in 2018 for the school and updated security and technology district-wide.
At the groundbreaking, Superintendent Chad Pirtle said the new building would allow the district to start the science, technology, engineering, arts and math initiatives at a younger age.
"The new elementary school will provide opportunities for students to receive a world-class STEAM-based education unparalleled in our country," he said. "Margaret Fischer Davis Elementary School will provide opportunities for our staff to give an innovative, world-class STEAM education and it will allow the community to have another Pleasant Grove Independent School District beacon of pride."
At the event, former Board President Jeff Harris said it was fitting to name the school after Davis, who he said set an ultimate standard for future generations.
"This has been a dream for many of us. We owe her so much. What better way to show our gratitude to her, our appreciation to her for years and years of compassion, of hard work, for her dedication, for setting the standard for so many generations to come," Harris said, according to Texarkana Gazette coverage of the groundbreaking.
Davis, who served as PGISD superintendent for 23 years, was in attendance.
"Thank you school board for this amazing honor. It's very humbling," she said. " I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to be a part of the future of Pleasant Grove."
Because of continuing COVID-19 concerns, PGISD will limit visitors to the campus. However, a virtual tour of the school can be taken on the district's website and social media pages.
- Andrew Bell