LISD welcomes new elementary school Posted On: Wednesday, Sep. 23 2009 02:17 AM By Rebecca LaFlure
Killeen Daily Herald

COPPERAS COVE – After years of careful planning, Lampasas Independent School District officials welcomed a new elementary school into the community Tuesday night.

Local educators, builders, students and taxpayers filled the Taylor Creek Elementary School cafeteria Tuesday for the school's dedication ceremony. Taylor Creek, located on Big Divide Road in Copperas Cove, opened its doors for the first time this school year.

"I'd like to welcome you to your home away from home," Taylor Creek principal Kelly Dunn said to the crowd.

The 65,000-square-foot campus serves about 450 students this school year.

It was a facility that required a great deal of vision and planning, LISD Superintendent Robert Hoyer said.

He and LISD board president James Briggs thanked those who played a part in the creation of the district's third elementary school, including the taxpayers who voted to raise their tax rate by 41 cents to fund its construction.

"They cared more about the kids of this district than their pocketbooks or themselves," Briggs said.

The campus was paid for through a $48.85 million bond approved in May 2007. About $9 million was used to build Taylor Creek, and another $39 million went into construction of the new Lampasas High School.

The new campuses were built to accommodate LISD's growing student body. As of last week, district enrollment hit 3,389 students, up 113 students compared to the year before.

District officials concluded the 30-minute ceremony with a ribbon cutting and an invitation for visitors to tour the new campus.

"We hope you enjoy your new school," Briggs said.