Denison Schools: Ready for the Year!

[Dwayne Wilder]

Ready for School

The construction from the 2011 school bond is on schedule and the district is getting ready for the new school year, according to Denison School Superintendent Dr. Henry Scott.

“All four of the elementary schools that are getting additions will be completed early this week,” said Scott. “And we will be ready for school.”

The four schools are Mayes Elementary School; Hyde Park Elementary School; Lamar Elementary School and Houston Elementary School.

At the new high school site, at the corner of US 75 and SH 91, Scott noted that the dirt work is going ‘well,’ and the roads and parking lots are ‘being put in.’

“The piers for the structure will start Sept. 1,” said Scott. “We are on target; it’s been very busy all summer, but we are on schedule. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

According to Scott, the new school year will include closing Layne Elementary School, which is part of the school bond issue.

“This will save about $450,000 for us,” said Scott. “The transition has gone extremely well.”

“We expect a great school year,” he added.

Scott announced the retirement of Ginger Brawley, the principal at Layne, who was to move to Mayes with her students. Current Mayes principal Brent Hoy will continue to help transition the 500 students.

“We feel good about the transition,” said Scott.

According to Scott, the district is willing to discuss the possibility of another entity buying Layne, but if there isn’t one, the district will demolish the structure and sell the land.

“It has to be a stable situation,” explained Scott. “We don’t want an eyesore or for it to become dilapidated; there is no timetable.”