District breaks ground on center site at Anderson High campus



By Kelli Weldon



Officials broke ground Nov. 19 on Austin ISD's new Applied Technology Center, which will be located on the northeast side of Anderson High School and is slated to open in fall 2015.



The 14,500-square-foot center will provide space for students from throughout the district to gain hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, AHS Principal Donna Houser said. The center will complement the existing applied technology facility at Akins High School, she said.



The construction cost is $2.5 million, according to AISD. An anonymous donor provided funds through the Boy Scouts of America National Foundation. Edmund Oropez, AISD interim chief schools officer, thanked the board of trustees and staff for their support.



"This very new approach here for AISD ... is just an outstanding opportunity for all of us," he said.