An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : News
JBSA News
NEWS | Sept. 30, 2015

Randolph school officials break ground on new high school complex

Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

Randolph Field Independent School District officials, students, teachers and staff members gathered at Randolph High School Sept. 24 for the groundbreaking of a new high school campus that will be constructed behind the current high school building.

RFISD school board members broke ground on the new 77,000-square-foot high school complex in the courtyard of the current high school campus, which will be demolished once the new school is completed.

Project plans for the new school include 25 classrooms, five science labs, two computer labs, gymnasium, cafeteria, restrooms and administrative offices. The classrooms will be housed in a two-story 44,000-square-foot building, with the new cafeteria and gymnasium being housed together in a separate 33,000-square-foot building.

Lance Johnson, RFISD superintendent, said construction on the new high school campus will begin in October and should be completed in June 2016.

The cost of the project is being covered by a $7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which owns the current high school building built in 1962. For the school district to receive the grant, Johnson said the Department of Education stipulated the current high school building be torn down.

Johnson said the new high school complex will benefit students because it will have more classroom space, wider hallways and technology infrastructure upgrades.

“I’m really excited for this groundbreaking ceremony,” Johnson said.  “Next year’s seniors (the class of 2017) will be the first to graduate from a brand new 44,000-square-foot building with classrooms sizes that are adequate and technology that is 21st century ready. It will prepare you to go the next step in your futures, students.”

Johnson thanked school board and community members who have worked to help get the project started.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to be part of this process,” he said. “It’s not about anyone but the kids in this district and we’re going to continue that focus.”

Johnson said the current band hall, athletic facility and fine arts building at the high school campus will remain intact and not be demolished. The athletic facility includes the current gymnasium, weight room and locker rooms.

The current gymnasium, which seats 300 and includes a stage, will be used by athletic teams from Randolph Middle School, which is adjacent to the high school campus.

In addition, the new gymnasium will have seating capacity for 700 spectators and have a curtain that will split the gym in half, allowing multiple athletic teams to use the facility at the same time. The new cafeteria, which includes a stage, will seat 400 students, exceeding the capacity of the current cafeteria that holds up to 170 students.