More than two years after the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School, the Uvalde community is set to welcome a new chapter with the construction of Legacy Elementary School.
The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) announced Monday that the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation has reached its $60 million fundraising goal to build the new campus, thanks to a final $24.5 million investment, as first reported by San Antonio Express-News.
Contributors to the final funding push included:
– Préstamos CDFI, a division of Chicanos Por La Causa, provided $13 million
– Raza Development Fund, provided $8 million
– JPMorgan Chase, provided $3.5 million
These donations utilized the federal New Markets Tax Credit program, which incentivizes private investment in economically distressed areas.
Jose Martinez, president of Préstamos CDFI and executive vice president of Chicanos Por La Causa, expressed his organization’s commitment to the project. “Some of our staff were directly impacted by the tragedy, and they continue to embrace and support the local community,” Martinez said in a statement.
Robb Elementary School has remained empty since the May 24, 2022, shooting, which claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers. Legacy Elementary, set to open in the fall, will replace it as a beacon of hope and renewal for the community.
The school, designed with a focus on brain research and trauma-informed care, will include 36 classrooms, a library, a gymnasium, mental health resources, and advanced safety features. A tree sculpture memorializing the victims, including teachers Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles, will stand as a poignant reminder of those lost.
Tim Miller, executive director of Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation told KSAT, that the building will also have serious safety features.
“Once you come into the entry to get checked in, you’ll have to show identification. And once you get cleared, you can move into the general part of the building. And, if you need to get into the academic part of the building, you’d have to have another set of clearance for that,” said Miller.
The project, which broke ground in October 2023 near Dalton Elementary, will serve 800 students from second to fourth grade and create both temporary construction jobs and permanent positions upon completion.
The Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation, formed with initial funding from H-E-B and the Charles Butt family, played a pivotal role in planning and securing resources for the new campus.
