KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Hays Consolidated Independent School District welcomed students back to school Tuesday, with some students attending a brand new elementary school in Kyle.
Officials cut the ribbon on Cullen Elementary School just in time for the 2024-25 school year. It’s the district’s 16th elementary school, with a 17th under construction.
Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright said the school district is trying to keep up with growth.
“We have been averaging about 1,100 to 1,200 students,” Wright said. “And so we are averaging about 3,500 new homes a year.”
Cullen Elementary School is named after Jim Cullen — a long time educator at Hays CISD.
The school’s website describes Cullen as having an educational focus that “has always been on building positive, personal relationships – a trait that helped lead to many positive outcomes in his classroom. Giving back to his community—specifically the students and staff of the Hays CISD educational community—remains a driving force in his life.”
Cullen was at his namesake school to welcome students and staff to their brand new 117,611-square-foot building with a 900-student capacity.
HCISD plans to ask voters to approve plans in May for even more schools.
“Right now, our facilities and bond oversight committee is working diligently to pare that down for what we can afford without increasing the tax rate,” Wright added.
In 2020, Cullen received the first Hays CISD Lifetime Achievement Award.