Kilgore Bulldogs’ eyes secure more than $44M projects

KILGORE - Community input and student safety played a large part in Kilgore ISD’s two new schools and renovations. Beginning in fall 2013, students will occupy a 160,000-sf school for sixth, seventh and eighth grades to replace Maude Laird Middle School.

Meanwhile, first-grade students will join pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at a new 112,687-sf school nearby. Both schools are located on 70 acres located at the corner of Hwy. 259 and Baughman Rd.

The new primary school will have three hallways leading to 45 classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, and a gymnasium to hold the entire student body, which could be just under 1,200. About 900 are currently enrolled.

The new middle school will be a split two-story building with sixth and seventh grades in separate wings on the ground floor while eighth-graders will be upstairs. Paths of students will not cross.

A new band hall, six tennis courts, a practice field and a soccer field will be under the watchful eye of the Kilgore Bulldogs. “There’s no spot you can be at around the building where someone can’t see you,” said Dennis Smith, lead construction foreman.

The new primary and middle schools, as well as Chandler Elementary after renovations, will each have one secure entrance where anyone entering the school will have to check in and be “buzzed through” before entering areas with students.

The combined projects total over $44 million, and will be the first new campus for the district in over 15 years.

Listen to Podcast 176 for this story…and more!