x
Breaking News
More () »

UPDATE: UT Tyler plans to renovate Palestine Innovation Academy

UPDATE:

UT Tyler put to rest any rumors that the Innovation Academy Stem Charter School in Palestine would be closing. They announced during a town hall tonight that the university will invest approximately $600,000 to make safety renovations...

Parents received a letter in the mail outlining a number of options being examined after the school was flagged by the state fire marshal for safety concerns, forcing the academy's primary building to close last July. A short-term facility has been used to allow classes to continue this school year. UT Tyler will pay for the renovations using the rainy-day fund which serves as a reserve for the three innovation academy campuses located in Palestine, Longview, and Tyler. The school did not set a date for the renovation, but hopes it will be done at or near the beginning of the next school year.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

According to UT Tyler, UTTIA Palestine, a high performing STEM based school in East Texas, may close at the end of 2018, and a town hall will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday to discuss the issue.

University officials have communicated with parents as of Wednesday, March 14, 2018 that the campus will possibly close as of the 2018-2019 school term, the year the school would have their first graduating class.

The statement to parents also read:

The process to find a facility solution for the Innovation Academy started last summer when the facility in Palestine was closed after the state fire marshal flagged safety concerns. As a result, we implemented a short term facility solution by utilizing Mathis Hall on UT Tyler’s extension campus in Palestine.Classes will continue to be held there until the end of this academic year. The UT Tyler team that has been exploring permanent options for an Innovation Academy Palestine facility includes representation from the president’s cabinet, the College of Education and Psychology, Innovation Academy staff and facility services staff.

According to the school, a decision has not been made regarding UTTIA's future, and facility changes facing the campus are an "ongoing process".

The school is inviting parents and members of the community to join the town hall that will be held at the Evangelistic Temple church at 3011 North Loop 256, just about a mile away from Mathis Hall.

►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the KYTX CBS19 News 2 App now.

Have a news tip? Email news@cbs19.tv, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.

Before You Leave, Check This Out