by Wilton Johnson
LONGVIEW (KYTX) - For more than 30 years, a single campus serviced Judson community students. As CBS 19's Wilton Johnson reports, that is one period that's now giving way to progress.
Judson Middle School teacher Kathlene Savage didn't want to waste such a beautiful day.
"We were trying to have class outside. We were trying to erupt our volcanoes the kids built and designed."
But it was obvious something else was more interesting.
"I look around and they're whispering and looking that way, instead of toward the volcanoes."
Over that way was the demolition of the 1930s era gymnasium, built back when this school campus served the Judson community, about 30 years before becoming part of Longview ISD.
"The order will sequence itself here then back towards the media center after school lets out."
Buford Thompson safety director Bob Wadsworth says, after Nabors Demolition razes the campus, a new one will carry on the education of Judson area students.
"All of this existing on-rise is a parking lot. Then the new buildings that ties into the media center gets built where all remaining buildings are."
Savage learned a lesson herself today - there is something more interesting to middle schoolers besides lava. "Destruction always wins."
She has even found a way to fight the distraction through the end of the school year.
"My classroom windows are painted, so they can't sit and watch, they have to pay attention."
Rebuilding of the campus is funded through the $269 million bond proposal passed by voters in March 2008.
