SOME OF THE SPECIAL GUESTS helping to cut the ribbon at the new Fairfield intermediate school included: l-r, Sheriff Ralph Billings, principal Jimmy Jowers, school trustee Ossie Outlaw, retired superintendent Tony Price, school trustees John Fryer, Eric Chavers, Blake Robinson and LaCharles Bass, and state Rep. Byron Cook. The new Fairfield intermediate school officially opened last week with a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of the facility.

Ribbon cutting activities coincided with a school open house for students and parents to learn their way around the school.

“This was built as a gift of love that we give back to the students and the community,” Fairfield Independent School District superintendent Katie Ryan says.

In May 2008, 68 percent of FISD voters approved $21 million in construction bonds to build the school that houses grades 3-5, taking overcrowding pressure off the elementary and junior high schools.

A TREE STANDS IN the middle of the Fairfield intermediate school library and a gazebo is located in one corner. Architect for the project was Claycomb and Associates and Baird- Williams Construction was low bidder to build the school. The two firms also built the elementary school and Johnson Activities Center at the senior high.

Included in the intermediate school project was construction of a new science wing at Fairfield high school.

Intermediate school principal Jimmy Jowers welcomed everyone attending the ribbon cutting and the Rev. David Allgood offered the invocation.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 668 presented the colors and intermediate school students sang the national anthem.

Guests on stage in the cafetorium, introduced by Ms. Ryan, included state Rep. Byron Cook, retired FISD superintendent Tony Price, Sheriff Ralph Billings and members of the school board.

VISITORS AT THE FAIRFIELD intermediate school open house and ribbon cutting ceremony get their bearings in the central hallway. Pastorial remarks were given by the Rev. Ken Pruitt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Fairfield.

“Tonight, we are here to celebrate open doors,” Pruitt says.

He explains that the open doors are the hallways and classrooms of education, teachers and administrators who provide opportunities, advancement and life changing experiences.

“Let’s celebrate the change and the impact of when these doors are opened,” Pruitt says.

Keynote address was offered by Price who was superintendent when the construction bonds were passed and plans were drawn for the new school.

He explains that a school building is more than brick and mortar, but is a bridge to opportunity for all who pass through its doors.

The bridge is provided to students who begin their education unable to speak English, but who learn to become productive members of society because of the efforts of the school and community.

A school is a bridge to the disabled, children from poverty and those who are victims of abuse, helping them all to better lives.

“The taxpayers of this district provide beautiful buildings, and they build bridges,” Price says.

Members of the school board and guests cut the ribbon to conclude the ceremony.

The school, located on N. Fairway, is laid out with separate wings for each of the three grades, cafetorium, gymnasium, library, science and computer laboratories, and outside play area.

Architectural features are an abundance of windows, pressed concrete eagle silhouettes in brickwork, and the “wave,” an undulating front canopy featuring natural wood underneath and a gold top.

Included as extras are an eagle nest sculpture just inside the front doors in the main hallway, an eagle mural in the gymnasium, and an artificial tree and gazebo in the library.