HUNTER DWORACZYK [email protected]
Construction for stage two of Taylor Independent School District’s 2022 bond is officially underway. The district hosted two ceremonial groundbreaking events Tuesday, Nov. 14 to celebrate the start of the two extensive projects.
One of the projects involves building a new gymnasium as well as some more additional buildings at Main Street Elementary School. The other project relates to expanding the Career and Technical
Samsung Austin Semiconductor presented a $1 million check to Taylor Independent School District to support its Career and Technical Education program.
Education space at Taylor High School with a new building.
“Today we celebrate a forward-thinking community, strong partnerships and the hard work and dedication of so many individuals that are having a transformational impact on our very own community,” said Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen, the district’s new superintendent. “I would like to take a moment to thank and recognize those who attended planning meetings, handed out materials and talked to voters about the importance of their votes.”
The two projects of the 2022 bond’s second stage are expected to cost $37.5 million. Both THS and MSE will receive safety improvements as well.
Main Street Elementary
MSE’s groundbreaking event began at 10 a.m. and had three guest speakers. Board President Marco Ortiz, MSE Principal Kerri Pierce and Garcia-Edwardsen shared their thoughts at the ceremony.
“When I came here over a year ago, this place did not look like an elementary campus,” Pierce said. “We’ve been doing work to make that transformation happen. Now, to begin the work where we will actually make this a total elementary feel and campus, is amazing.”
Improvements include adding a new gymnasium, dining room and kitchen, changes to the front drop off area, drives and parking, a new bus canopy at the back of the school, parking surface repair and restripe and overall maintenance.
The campus, which used to be the old high school, is shared by MSE and the district’s central office. The students have to walk across the entire campus in order to use the cafeteria or gym, which are located on the opposite side.
Stantec, a design and consulting company, is the designer of the project that is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2025.
Taylor High School
Samsung Austin Semiconductor, which is a local subsidiary of South Korean-based Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., had a major presence at the high school’s groundbreaking ceremony that started at 1 p.m.
Besides having Jon Taylor, corporate vice president of fab engineering and public affairs, and Melanie Badillo, former Samsung intern, both speak at the ceremony, the semiconductor company also announced a major donation.
Samsung brought a $1 million check to the high school, which will be invested in the district’s CTE efforts.
Mayor Brandt Rydell thanked the semiconductor team in attendance for their donation during his comments at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“You’ve been a wonderful corporate citizen and a great community partner,” Rydell said. “You’ve done what you said you were going to do and lived up to everything you promised Taylor. Your investment in our young people is something that is going to resonate with me, Judge (Bill) Gravell and the community of Taylor for years and decades to come.”
The new CTE building has a targeted completion date of Fall 2025, according to a Samsung Austin Semiconductor press release.
