AUSTIN - Jarrell Independent School District broke ground on Tuesday, May 30 for a new High School. The new school, which will be approximately 98,000 SF in size, will replace the 1916 Building that was the original Jarrell High School. The school is being funded by a successful $14.9 million bond passed in May 2005.

The new high school is designed to provide classroom space for 350 students and core areas (cafeteria, library, physical education, fine arts) to support 700 students. The plan, which was developed with input from the community and district administration, teachers and staff, includes: a library at the main entry with easy-access for community use; computer labs; and a cafetorium to support 350 students per lunch period arranged to also support community events and stage performances.

The ceremony included comments from Jarrell ISD Superintendent Dr. Jamie Mattison who thanked the people who helped pass the bond election and the staff and design team working on the project. "The new Jarrell High School will be an attractive, cost-effective building which will be a visible symbol of the quality education that students receive in Jarrell," said Dr. Mattison. "The construction of a new Jarrell high school will provide a great learning environment for the current students in Jarrell as well as the students who will move to Jarrell as this area continues to grow."

The groundbreaking was attended by nearly 100 community members. The JISD Board of Trustees, community supporters, district staff, students and the design and construction team all participated in the dirt-turning event.

O'Connell Robertson & Associates, Inc. provided architecture and engineering design for the project, which will be open for classes the Fall of 2007. FT Woods Construction is the project Construction Manager at Risk.

Copyright 2002 O'Connell Robertson & Associates