May 15, 2017 – Students from Lamar and Martin high schools got a preview of the future Career and Technical Center last Thursday, May 12. Donning hard hats, the students toured the new building, getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the construction.

“This tour is for you,” said Brandon Alcala of Balfour Beatty Construction, the construction manager, encouraging the students to ask questions. Staff from the project’s architect, VLK, also helped give the tour and answer questions.

The 169,800 square-foot Career and Technical Center will host 13 different academies, providing state-of-the-art career and technical classes for students from all AISD high schools. The tour gave the students an idea of how much planning has gone into the new facility’s programming, design and construction, along with a vision of the impact this building will have on education for local high school students.

“It was important to show the students that those entrusted with their education are invested in their success,” said Benjamin Wagley, an animation teacher at Martin High School who accompanied the students on the tour. “I can honestly say that impressions were made upon those students, and they more fully understand how dedicated AISD is to their future.”

The students clearly enjoyed the tour and were impressed by the new building.

“How did you arrange this awesomeness?” one student asked Mr. Wagely about the tour.

“Whew, this is overwhelming,” he added. “I feel so spoiled.”

The Career and Technical Center is scheduled to open in August.