The new Hubbard Middle School campus is 170,630 square feet and has 1,200 capacity for incoming Huskies. (Tyler ISD/Contributed Photo)

Hubbard Middle School band and cheerleaders welcomed the community Tuesday evening at the ribbon cutting for the new campus.

“If you’re a fifth, sixth or seventh grader this year, you will be the first class to open up this building,” said Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford. “You have big shoes to fill from all the classes that came before you.”

The new Hubbard Middle School is part of an almost $90 million bond package that passed in 2022. The new campus is 170,630 square feet and has the capacity for 1,200 incoming Huskies.

The campus includes separate spaces for band, choir, orchestra, black box theater and soundproof practice rooms, as well as state-of-the-art media center, updated cafeteria with a stage, and safe and secured courtyards.

Built right next to the old building that was originally built in 1964, the new three-story campus is complete with up-to-date security, safety improvements, and improved traffic flow. The only unfinished component is the gym, which is set to be completed over the summer.

The ribbon cutting ceremony marks the culmination of a 20-year phase to renovate Tyler ISD facilities.

“I want to thank the taxpayers that have been on this journey with Tyler ISD for the past 20 years to get all 27 facilities either built new or renovated with new additions,” Crawford said.

After demolition of the old middle school, it will be converted into more parking and an eight-lane competitive track.

Of the $90 voter-approved bond package, $63 million went toward the new Hubbard campus while the remainder of $26 million was allocated for a new Early College High School campus. A ribbon cutting for that facility is set Thursday. The Early College facility currently shares space with RISE Academy, but the new facility will allow those students to have their own facilities.

The bond proposal was developed by the administration to address a growing number of students in Tyler ISD, as well as the aging buildings and increase safety and security. The proposal did not include an increase of tax rates.

For two decades, Tyler ISD has been investing and transforming facilities while keeping the tax rate as low as possible, Crawford said.

“We’ve had to fight some of those supply chain issues, fight some weather issues … labor force issues,” Crawford said. “There were a lot of things that we had to deal with … some geopolitical issues that caused a lot of problems for us … but it’s been an incredible journey.”

Mayor Don Warren joined the celebration by installing a proclamation of Hubbard Middle School Ribbon Cutting Day. Then Crawford took the opportunity to thank everyone who had been involved, from the Board of Trustees to the construction teams.

“We’ve got a great facility that’s going to attract great teachers,” Crawford said.

Board of Trustees District 6 member Lindsey Harrison provided remarks before the ribbon cutting.

“This school embodies our commitment to providing the best possible learning environment for our children so that they may thrive and reach their full potential,” Harrison said.

She urged the community to acknowledge the crucial role education plays in shaping its future, highlighting the importance of teachers, staff, and administrators.

“(They will) work tirelessly to support our students and deserve our utmost gratitude and respect,” Harrison added. “They are the heart and soul of the school and their dedication to our children’s success is truly commendable to the students who will walk through these halls.”

As the Hubbard Middle school students look forward to saying goodbye to green lockers and wood paneling of the old building, they were invited to explore the state-of-the-art facilities of the new campus.

Hubbard teachers got a sneak peak and are looking forward to the new building.

“I think a lot of the newness is going to streamline and make it easier to do things in our classrooms that just hasn’t been possible in the other building,” said Ginger Davis, sixth grade English teacher at Hubbard. “We’re all very excited.”

WHAT: Ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at Early College High School

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9

WHERE: 3011 Earl Campbell Parkway

INFORMATION: www.tylerisd.org