El Paso High breaks ground for new fine arts building

El Paso High School, one of the oldest and most historic schools in the country, celebrated Thursday morning. The historic school is strengthening its foundation for the future, breaking ground for a new fine arts building.

The funding for the project is part of EPISD’s 2016 bond fund.

“There’s a lot of history in these halls,” said Jacob Aguirre, a junior at the school.

The school’s history is about to expand.

“There’s a three-phase process,” said Mark Paz, principal of the school. “The first phase is putting in brand new tennis courts because the existing courts area is where the new fine arts complex will go.”

“We’re going to have new science labs, fine arts building,” said Juan Cabrera, EPISD’s superintendent. “It’s a great school and we have great academic success here, but we are excited to bring some new modern amenities.”

The project fills Jacob with pride. “As a drum major, it’s pretty cool to be able to see the grounds be broken on a new fine arts building. That’s going to be able to supply for the future,” he said.

There are some who are against the project at El Paso High.

“There’s been some community members who have wanted some of these bond funds to be used for historic preservation,” Melissa Martinez, spokeswoman for the district, said. “Unfortunately, we can’t do that because that was not part of the compact with the voters.”

Cabrera responded to the criticism: “We have to ask permission. We have to be careful. We have to use certain architects. So yes, there are plans, but we’re not in control of everything because it’s a historic landmark.”

The District does take its role of caring for the 102-year-old school seriously, commissioning a study to see what the school needs and pursue renovations in the future.

The project cost $19.4 million dollars and the district expects it to be done by 2020.