20 Oct 2004
Lee McShan Jr. Elementary Provides Much Needed Relief
DALLAS–Laying a foundation for growth, Dallas Independent School District officials, along with the community and local elected officials, broke ground today on a 91,000-square-foot elementary school that will house 800 students when it opens in August 2005.
The school is the third to be built with funds from the 2002 bond program and is named for a White Rock area community leader and former president of the DISD Board of Trustees (1966-68).
"Lee McShan's life and legacy will instruct and inspire learning, leadership and success among the students and teachers here for many years to come," said Lois Parrott, president, DISD Board of Trustees.
"Mr. McShan knew a little bit about growth and what it takes to nurture what you care about. He not only grew his florist shop into a Dallas icon, but also contributed greatly to the growth of education in DISD."
During McShan's board presidency, voters passed a major bond program and moved to include kindergartens in the schools. He also was instrumental in developing Skyline High School, Dallas' first magnet school.
Other officials on hand for the ceremony included Dallas City Councilman Mitchell Rasansky, Rossi Walter, president of the Dallas Council of PTAs and Interim General Superintendent Larry Groppel.
"Lee McShan Jr. Elementary School will make a significant impact on this area," Groppel said. "The seeds of growth we are planting here today and the earth we are turning over are a foundation for the future. It means generations of teaching, learning and doing."
McShan will provide much needed relief for Arthur Kramer, Preston Hollow and Victor Hexter elementary schools. In addition, the accompanying zone changes will also relieve Dan D. Rogers and L.L. Hotchkiss.
The school is a mixture of the traditional and the technologically advanced. At 91,000 square feet, it has 33 core classrooms and lots of extras including three special education classrooms, art, science and instructional technology classrooms, a performing hall and a media center.
Voters showed strong confidence and trust in the DISD when, in January 2002, they approved a $1.37 billion bond program to build 21 new schools and add to or renovate all existing schools.
Two new schools under construction in August 2003 opened their doors in fall 2004, and a former school was renovated and opened as the first public all-girls school in Texas. Sites have been identified for all new schools. A number of additions and renovation projects also are under way and scheduled for completion in 2005.