Christoval ISD Opens STEM Academy

Christoval, TX — Simple and to-the-point functionality is how most people can describe the new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Academy at Christoval High School. The three-room classroom building was constructed in about two months said Christoval ISD Board of Trustees member Shawn Uptergrove.

The metal structure will become the home for classes multimedia arts, advanced mathematics and science lab classes, explained Principal John Choate. While in depth learning in science and math will help Christoval students compete for college admission, the multimedia arts classes, to be taught on an array of Dell desktops and large monitors in the STEM Academy, will teach high school students immediate job skills, like how to work with Adobe Creative Suite. Adobe software is today’s standard for graphic design and video editing.

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Above: Pam Dutton from State Sen. Charles Perry's office congratulates Christoval ISD for opening the STEM Academy. CISD board members, superintendent, principal look on. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

Christoval ISD Superintendent David Walker explained the curriculum originates from the University of North Texas, and it is provided to the district free of charge.

Present at the groundbreaking ceremonies Monday morning were students of the combined junior high and high school campus. It was their first day of school. Christoval ISD Trustees Duff Hallman, president; Shawn Nanny, vice president; Mary Ann Cochran; Keith Doering; Lynn Dye; Phillip Kemp; and Shown Uptergrove were hosts.

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Above: Graham H. Childress, P.G.M. of the Christoval Lodge #901 of the AF & AM Messonic Lodge conducts the cornerstone ritual. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

Tom Green County Judge Steve Floyd was there, too, promoting his county education initiative to cultivate private-public partnerships in vocational training with county school districts. A part of the Christoval High facility aligns nicely with Judge Floyd’s vision to graduate young adults with marketable skills, not necessarily requiring a four-year college degree, for employment in the area.

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Above: Ribbon cutting for the Christoval ISD STEM Academy: (L-R) Trustees Phillip Kemp, Shawn Nanny, Shawn Uptergrove, Duff Hallman, Mary Ann Cochran, High School Principal John Choate, and Superintendent Dr. David R. Walker. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

Superintendent Walker explained the facility was financed with debt, but because Christoval recently retired older debt, it will not increase the tax rate for Christoval ISD property owners and taxpayers. The building was financed with a $1 million time and warranty note, Walker said. Most of those funds were used to construct the STEM Academy, and the rest of the proceeds from the note went towards upgrading current facilities, including security updates, at the two district schools. Christoval ISD operates a K-5 elementary school as well as the 6-12th grade high school facility.

"We're doing everything we can do internally before going to the public and asking for a tax increase," Walker said. 

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Above: The north half of the building is dedicated to a computer lab. (LIVE! photo/Joe Hyde)

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Above: The south end of the building is a dedicated science and math lab. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

Christoval ISD currently educates approximately 500 students, K-12^th grade, living in a sprawling land area immediately south of San Angelo. Walker said the district has historically experienced about a two percent per year increase in enrollment.