Aubrey ISD opens West Elementary School

By Martin Edwards

Staff Writer

       Aubrey Independent School District took a major step forward in its expansion efforts with the opening of West Elementary School on Monday.

       District officials and staff commemorated the completion of the building’s construction with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the school’s main entrance.

       “There was a lot of participation [and] a lot of involvement in this event,” Aubrey ISD Superintendent Dr. Shannon Saylor said. “I really love that our municipalities came out to [show] support … because the school is a community and that’s what opening a school does, it brings the community together.”

       West Elementary School, which was built by Pogue Construction and funded through a $385.9 million bond passed in 2022, is the district's fourth elementary school and will house pre-K through fifth grade.

       “We’re truly passionate about building these schools and putting kids and educators in the building,” said Shane Williams, Pogue Construction’s vice president of business development.

       The two-story building has an open space for its library, separate spaces for each grade level and its own gymnasium for physical education classes.

       Teresa West-Mancuso, the daughter of the school’s namesakes, Pete and Myra West, was also on hand at the event to honor the memory of her parents.

       “It’s a great honor,” she said. “We’re all just blown away at having this building named for them. … Mom would have cried. Daddy wouldn’t have cried, but his eyes would’ve misted up.”

       The school’s principal, Jennie Petrasic, shared her excitement for the event and some of her early goals for West Elementary.

       “We’ve been waiting for this moment for a year now, and we worked really hard to prepare,” she said. “… I’m most excited about opening the doors to the kids and to continue the legacy of of Pete and Myra. I plan to make literacy a heavy focus and give back to the community to honor the namesakes of the school.”

       Saylor highlighted how the role the Aubrey community plays in encouraging newcomers to move to the area and helping make all of this possible.

       “I’m proud that we continue to grow, and people continue to move here,” she said. “That says a lot about our school district and our staff. Our board of trustees really believes in putting children first.”

       West Elementary is the first of multiple bond projects for Aubrey ISD and Saylor emphasized the district’s plans to keep pace with area’s growing population.

       “Opening our fourth elementary school was an endeavor, but [more] people are coming,” she said. “… We’ll be opening schools probably every other year from here on out because of the growth that keeps coming to us.”

       Saylor cited the work of Aubrey ISD’s Communications Director Eva Coleman for the event’s success.

       “Eva worked with Pogue Construction’s public relations team and put all of this together,” she said. “I know when Eva Coleman puts something together, it’s gonna go flawlessly.”

       Saylor shared her appreciation for having the opportunity to help steer Aubrey ISD through a historic period of development.

      “I’m thrilled to be a part of it, but really we have a great team,” she said. “Between the board and my executive team, it’s been a great place to work and live.”