ABILENE, Texas — The Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program has awarded the Abilene Independent School District $962,607 to help in the construction of the new Dyess Elementary School science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics facility.
According to a press release from The Chamber, the grant was facilitated by the chamber's military affairs committee and will enhance the facility. The anticipated completion date for the facility is 2021.
“Dyess and the Abilene community have had a special relationship since the base opened and seek opportunities to support each other. The community’s support for a new Dyess Elementary, along with the additional DCIP funds for STEM classroom/lab facilities, sends a strong message to our servicemen and women that we care about their families and their children’s education," Greg Blair, AEP Texas and Military Affairs committee chair, said in the release.
The 6,786 square maker's lab area will provide a world-class facility that entails specialized equipment for use by elementary students including several 3D printers, robotic arms, laser engravers and a vinyl cutter.
The AISD Master Facility Planning Committee developed and recommended the concept of building a replacement campus for Dyess Elementary in Spring 2018. The idea for the campus was to meet the unique needs of military families and students to ease the transition to the Abilene community.
Dyess Elementary enrollment consists of 65.7% military families and students.
For more information, go to abilenechamber.com.
