CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The future of education is here for students who attend the Skidmore-Tynan ISD.
Students there in the small community started the new year at a new multi-million dollar state-of-the-art high school with safety features at the forefront.
There were quite a number of folks who came out for the official ribbon cutting over the weekend.
Around 230 students attend Skidmore-Tynan high school and you can feel their excitement as the new building is a big deal not only for the students, but the entire community.
3NEWS was given a tour by seniors Maggie Moreman and Paul Looney who were both eager to show off their new school.
The two first taking our camera through administration and then down the halls where a map on a tv monitor is helping students navigate their new bigger surroundings.
Students had plenty of elbow room in an art class where the instructor was using a new smart board with all the bells and whistles to help students learn.
A big upgrade. Their old high school was more than 70 years old.
Stella Resio is the principal at the high school.
"I even had some retired teachers come in almost in tears of what this meant," said Resio.
She said Tuesday marked "day two" for students and staff.
"We always made fun that it was always cold over there we only had window units, its just so beautiful, the teachers deserve it, each teacher having their own smart board, computer labs, everything brand new," Resio said.
The communities of Skidmore and Tynan backed the project two years ago at the polls with the passage of a school bond to build the new school.
"They voted with their pocketbooks and their hearts to give our kids this school," said district superintendent Richard Waterhouse.
Waterhouse pointed out the school's expanded gym that includes new hardwood and visitor section - something they didn't have enough space for before and then there are the security upgrades.
"The safety features that are built in that no one sees, we are real proud of that, student safety, staff safety," he said.
The school even has a dedicated space to prepare for their future. Something Moreman and Looney said there was a focus on even before the new building.
"I've been part of duel credit for 3 years, and I found it to be very enjoyable and helpful it gives me more challenging classes than we have here, found Del Mar to be a good college partner to work with," said Looney.
While it's not often students start the school year at one campus and finish it at a brand new one the seniors we spoke with are proud to wrap up their time as bobcats - while also helping welcome an exciting new addition to their community.
"For me, I've lived here my whole life so its like, a big opportunity for myself and my younger sibling," said Moreman.
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