by Meghan McDermott
TYLER (KYTX) - If you drive on the West Loop in Tyler, you've likely noticed the construction of one of Tyler ISD's newest schools - the combination Wayne D. Boshears Center for Exceptional Programs, and Mattie Jones Elementary. As CBS 19's Meghan McDermott reports, construction is moving rapidly on this state-of-the-art building.
The revolutionary new school combines a traditional elementary with a school for special needs students, many of whom are in wheelchairs. These two campuses are uniting in a way that, educators say, will greatly enhance students' education.
This massive, 135,000 square foot school is about 60% complete.
"It's just a great upgrade. The district needed to upgrade these schools badly," said Monte Robinette.
The central administration office building is sandwiched by the Jones school to the right, the Boshears school to the left.
Project manager Monte Robinett says the entire campus is outfitted with the latest and greatest in classroom technology. "One room is going to be set up with cameras where they could actually hold class with someone in Japan if they wanted."
"For the first time since we've been in existence we're gonna have a building that's designed around children with disabilities," said Karen Hacker.
Hacker has been with the St. Louis School and Boshears Center since 1975.
She says it's the seemingly simple things she most looks forward to for her students.
"The doors are wider. They have openers on them, so everything is just designed for them...They're equipping all of the rooms with lift systems."
But combining two schools will bring its fair share of headaches.
"We're excited about it on one hand. On the other hand there's gonna be a lot of changes for us. With change comes apprehension and stress. So part of it we're just going to have to figure out."
To lessen the growing pains, both school principals are coming up with a game plan.
"Our hope, and what our plan is, is that as we get to know each other that we are going to find ways for our children and their children to integrate and work together."
The Jones-Boshears School is slated to open in August of 2010.
The district has not yet decided what to do with the current Jones and St. Louis school buildings.
The Jones-Boshears School is one of five replacement campuses currently under construction in the district. The Tyler ISD is using leftover funds from this school bond on renovations on two campuses - Birdwell and Owens Elementary schools.
