Photo Credit: Arlington Independent School District
School and community leaders, students and guests on Friday celebrated the groundbreaking of the Arlington Independent School District's future Agricultural Science Center.
This center, set to open next school year at 3210 West Pioneer Parkway, will feature two classrooms, a metal construction lab, an animal exercise area and flexible-fencing pens housing goats, sheep, heifers and rabbits.
"It's a wonderful and beautiful day to continue to grow and serve our students. Not only are we helping our students dream big but with this new center, we're assisting them to reach those dreams," Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said during the ceremony.
The new facility will make agriculture classes available to students across the district.
"This new center opens doors for our students here in Arlington. Students that didn't have the land to house an animal or agriculture classes weren't offered at their school now have the opportunity to participate and learn just as much as other students in the district," said Kristen Clark, Martin High School agricultural science teacher and FFA advisor.
This state-of-the-art facility, approved in the district's 2014 bond election, will be the district's first net-zero building. With the help of solar panels, rain water harvest, and wind turbines the facility can "power itself independently," according to the center's architect.
Arlington High senior Meghan Barnes, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, is among AISD students who have been looking forward to the center opening.
"Future students will have the ability to see it's more than just boots, jeans, dirt and cows," said Barnes, who will be continuing her agricultural education after graduating. "This new facility will help others like me who dream of having a career in agricultural be better prepared for the future, whether that be working on a ranch or attending a university for agriculture."
Click here to see more photos from the groundbreaking ceremony.
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