Austin ISD and Murchison Middle School today celebrated the grand opening of the school’s new modernized campus, built as part of the 2017 Bond Program. Families and community members joined AISD and Murchison campus leadership this morning in a virtual event to honor the school’s new spaces.
The event featured remarks from Murchison Principal Beth Newton, Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, Board of Trustees President Geronimo Rodriguez and District 4 Trustee Kristin Ashy. Attendees also enjoyed a video tour of the new campus and a special performance by the Murchison marching band and cheerleading team.
“These new modernized spaces will have a tremendous impact on our students’ learning experience, providing more opportunities for flexible learning, collaboration and creativity,” said Beth Newton, Principal of Murchison Middle School. “The success of this project is the result of hard work by our project team, Murchison community and Campus Architectural Team. I am so excited to officially celebrate the completion of the project and look forward to welcoming all students to the revitalized Murchison.”
Inspired by rock formations and cliff dwellings, the design of Murchison Middle School is a place-based reflection of the history of this area. The geological features, including remnants of a quarry, provide a dramatic landscape between Murchison Middle School and Doss Elementary School. The site design minimizes the impact of the building on the terrain. Protecting trees and topography connects the building to the natural environment while using green stormwater infrastructure to solve drainage issues.
“This is such an exciting day for the Murchison community, one that I am very proud to be part of,” said Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, AISD Superintendent. “With the completion of this project, we are one step closer to our goal to create equitable and innovative educational experiences. We are excited to continue serving every child, every day as Austin’s home for inclusive learning. Congratulations to Principal Newton, her staff, students and everyone who worked to make this vision a reality.”
In addition to the Campus Architectural Team made up of staff, parents, community members and students, the project team for Murchison Middle School included Bartlett Cocke General Contractors and Stantec Architects. The project is targeting Austin Energy Green Building certification that recognizes innovation for the enrichment of the community environmental, economic and human well-being.
"This is a monumental day for Murchison Matadors and the entire Austin ISD community," said Geronimo Rodriguez, Board of Trustees President. "AISD has been working hard to help prepare Murchison students for the future with these incredible 21-century learning spaces and I am proud to be part of this team who believe and act on our mission to prepare every student with the knowledge and skill to thrive in college, career and life."
Murchison Middle School is one of three campuses that opened this semester as part of the 2017 Bond Program, in addition to the six modernized campuses that opened in 2020. For more information on this and other bond modernization projects, visit AISDFuture.com.
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