Community members, school district leaders, parents and supporters of Abilene ISD gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 7 to celebrate the opening of the new Long Early Learning Center.
Jenny Putnam, Director of Early Childhood, presided over the ceremony, while Superintendent Dr. David Young provided remarks. Members of the AISD Board of Trustees, Long ELC staff and several Long students joined the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Red Coats in the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
The completion of the project that transformed the former Long Elementary School into the home for AISD’s pre-kindergarten students allows AISD to move programs from the district’s oldest campuses – Locust and Woodson. To meet the needs of approximately 800 students ages 3 and 4, the original facility received major renovations and a new addition to provide necessary space.
Mrs. Putnam told the audience in attendance for the ceremony that the new building has 20 classrooms, four motor lab rooms, a family literacy center and a family/community partnership suite. The campus site also boasts three playgrounds designed appropriately for the age of children.
Construction of the Long campus, which welcomed students on the first day of school on Aug. 28, is the final major project to be completed with proceeds from the 2013 Bond election.
