Elcart Schools this week completed a new $ 1.6 million construction project for agricultural education. Elkart Free School District trustees clean up Monday to expand the district’s agricultural program, which serves approximately 300 students.
The first construction project is an 8,000-square-foot barn for growing animal students for the upcoming US Farmers’ Competition. The second project will double the high school’s current farm size to approximately 7,000 square feet, providing additional space for assembly and construction skills.
The EISD School Board recently received funding and accreditation from Luffkin Construction and Engineering Company Guvin Laseter, a solid and construction company, Berry and Clock Rusk. Both companies have previously designed and built public school buildings in East Texas. The deadline for the completion of both buildings is March 2022.
Superintendent Lamant Smith said the new agricultural buildings will encourage student success.
“This program connects children to projects,” says Smith. I believe it encourages children to excel academically when it comes to the programs they care about.
Animal barn allows more students to participate in competitive beautification and upbringing, while expanded construction skills include welding, woodworking and construction projects. Currently, about 70 high school and 200 high school students are participating in the district’s AG programs. The total enrollment of the district is 1,200.
According to Smith, EISD has been building its financial balance since 2018 to support the project.
“We will use the fund balance for the project,” Smith said. We are a financially healthy district, as we have shown an average of $ 787,860 per year since 2018.
Leading agricultural educator Jordan Mac Inis said the new facilities will now provide adequate classrooms for each of the four full-time teachers.
Mack Inis teaches animal science and floral design, and Ashlia Crosby teaches welding and ag make-up at Elcart High School, while Haley Steps begins gardening and gardening at Elcart Middle School. Riley Bond, who teaches agricultural mechanics in high school, has hired a fourth AG teacher this year.
“Thank you to the community and to the school board and administration,” McNinis said.
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