PREMONT (Kiii News) -
Coming back from the brink of disaster, the Premont Independent School District is excited and optimistic for the future. They are nearing completion on some major renovations at their high school.
After losing its accreditation last year, it looked like the schools were going to be shut down; but the state gave the Premont ISD another chance. Now, it looks like the school is making good on that chance.
Part of the district's deal with the Texas Education Agency was to reopen two science labs, which had been closed for years. The district has done that, and the labs are set to be open to the public next week.
The new labs have six learning stations each, and will each fit 24 students. The rooms have teacher demonstration tables, prep areas, smart boards, and will have the latest technology in iPads and calculators.
School officials are extremely proud and thankful for the new labs, and said they couldn't have done it without an outpouring of support from the community. From around the Coastal Bend, some 20 school districts and a variety of different corporations, organizations and individuals collectively donated some $315,000 to pay for the labs.
"This is truly one of the greatest things to happen for Premont," said Ernest Singleton, superintendent of Premont ISD. "To have a collective energy and collective spirit from many, many square miles in the Coastal Bend are part of every one of these new stations that you see."
"It gives us a real sense of pride here," Premont High School Principal Enrique Ruiz, Jr., said.
School officials said the students are going to be blown away when they walk in and see the science labs for the first time. Keep in mind, they have gone years without having labs to practice science in.
School officials are so confident in the progress they have made, they are asking the TEA to start looking at their documents two months early, on Oct. 31, rather than Dec. 31, that way they can make a decision before the next school semester starts, and Premont ISD can hopefully get back their accreditation.
The school district will open the science labs up for the public to see from 6-7 p.m. next Wednesday, so if you want to take a look, swing by. Students will get to see them when they return to school on Aug. 27.
