Construction of a New Fine Arts building was approved on Sep. 22 at the school board meeting with a vote of 6-0. Completion of the facility is predicted for March 19, 2012 at a projected cost of $39 million.

“The board believes this building will have a positive impact for the district,” Director of Communications and Media Ritchie Escovedo said. “There’s a variety of needs, and this facility will meet those needs for the district.”

Designed to accommodate 5,500 people, including 500 on stage, the building will be used to host a multitude of events including graduation which is currently held at the Potter’s house .

“I think this will meet our needs and allow us to be on the district’s schedule instead of the Potter’s House,” Assistant Principal Mrs. Murphree said.

Included in the facility’s design is a Teacher Professional Development section, allowing for all the teacher trainings in the district to occur at one location.

“It’s an investment not only for the students,” Mrs. Murphree said, “but for the teachers as well.”

According to Librarian Mrs. Pinkerton, because of the size and newer technology, professional development is held in Legacy’s labs, taking away time from the teachers and creating scheduling conflicts.

“Opening this new facility will alleviate the use of our labs which will make it more available to our teachers and students,” Mrs. Pinkerton said. “I think it’s going to be great to not have to tell the teacher’s ‘no’,”

Beneficial to all the fine arts departments, the new building will also be rented out for public use.

“I think it’s good not just for our district,” choir teacher Mrs. Owens said, “but for the community as well.”

See what the building will look like here .

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