TASD cuts ribbon on new middle school
TEXARKANA, Ark. — The school district here held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday afternoon for Arkansas Middle School, which opened in March.
Administration, staff, students, board members and more gathered in the new building’s cafeteria to celebrate the marking of the first new school built within Texarkana Arkansas School District since Trice Elementary around 38 years ago.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 607 days since many of us sat here on a very, very hot summer day in August of 2019 to break ground for this building,” Superintendent Dr. Becky Kesler said in an opening the program. “Our lives have been challenged drastically since that day. But one thing I can assure that has remained constant, and that is our commitment to empower our students to reach their full potential.”
After a welcome on behalf of
the city by Assistant Mayor Steven Hollibush, the school was blessed by Bryan McDonald, pastor at First Assembly of God.
Remarks were then given by AMS Principal Theresa Cowling and Board President Frank Coleman.
Cowling spoke about the meaning of the event, while Coleman reflected on the district’s history and what made this moment possible.
“The new middle school has been on the district’s facilities master plan for at least 20 years,” Coleman said. “And this is the first time that we will have all three middle school grades on one campus. We completed this $25 million project without increasing the tax rate.”
Coleman rounded out his comments by saying it was just another great day to be a Razorback, before the administration, board and city members joined together to cut the red ribbon.