Discovery Elementary finishes remodeling

ISD officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly finished Discovery Elementary on Sept. 3.

By Madison Miller • September 7, 2019 1:30 am

Discovery Elementary School will welcome its students with a newly expanded and remodeled school.

As part of a 2016 bond, Discovery Elementary was selected to receive an expansion.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Sept. 3 to unveil the improvements made to the school to school board members, teachers, staff, parents and students.

The expansion project improves the safety and security and increases the permanent capacity to accommodate growing school population.

The Discovery expansion project includes relocation of the administration and special services spaces, improving office location and security at the building. An additional six classrooms, activity space and an expanded commons were added to meet growing space needs.

The project began in the summer of 2017. Since then, a classroom wing was added, the cafeteria/commons and special education classes were expanded, new security entrances were installed along with a new playground.

The expansion project cost about $9 million.

According to the new Discovery Elementary Principal, Kathy Keegan, the project will better suit the needs of students and staff.

“It will serve our growing community,” she said. “We want kids and families to feel safe and happy at school, and I think [the expansion] will do that.”

She said with more classrooms, modern facilities and better security, students will thrive at the school.

Assistant superintendent of elementary education Jodi Bongard said the expansion project will optimize the learning environment.

With more room, light and improved teaching spaces, she said the updated Discovery Elementary will improve the overall learning environment.

“We’re just really excited for students to come and enjoy all this,” she said. “We’re so thankful we were able to do this.”

Keegan mirrored Bongard’s sentiment.

“I’m really excited for this year, and I’m so thankful the kids and staff will be able to enjoy the new additions,” she said.

To learn more about the Discovery Elementary expansion project or other 2016 bond construction projects, go online to the district website (https://bit.ly/2lCdw1a).