Celebrating Long Awaited Opportunities in Clifton ISD
Clifton, Texas – On August 20th, Clifton ISD began the 2018-19 school year with two long awaited new facilities. After several failed attempts to pass a bond that would serve the Clifton community’s needs, the district partnered with VLK in 2015. VLK assessed the needs of the district, assembled a team for bond planning, and hosted a design charrette to listen and engage the community. Through a tightknit partnership, VLK and Clifton ISD were able to pass the $25,355,067 bond in May of 2016, bringing the district a much needed new performing arts center and elementary school campus.
“It communicates to other communities across central Texas that the voters of Clifton ISD are dedicated to providing the best that they can to their youngest residents,” said former CISD Superintendent Rhoda White. “It also speaks to the community’s commitment to all arts with the passage of the bond for an auditorium.”
The goal for the new Clifton Performing Arts Center was to create a joint use facility that can be shared by all Clifton school campuses and the Clifton community. The new performance hall is replacing the district’s Bettis Auditorium that was built in 1952. The 700 seat venue is located adjacent to Clifton High School’s band hall and has plenty of space for full choir and band performances, one act plays, graduation ceremonies, staff development, and civic meetings.
The new 68,000 sf Clifton Elementary School replaces the district’s current elementary campus built in 1939 and showcases next generation learning features such as open collaboration spaces in each grade level pod and a cafetorium for assemblies. One cost-effective design solution used in the new school is foldable glass partitions that allow spaces to change from a full classroom into two small learning spaces. This design allows for the best quality learning experience by bringing in direct or indirect sunlight into every classroom.