O.C. Taylor served as the superintendent when the school district became officially known as the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District in 1975. Taylor was there when the district's new administration offices opened on Ira East Woods Avenue in 1974.

The school district began to grow with the opening of new schools, including O.C. Taylor Elementary School in 1986. Until Thursday, it had been a while since Taylor last visited the administration building and the elementary school that was named after him.

"People in this community support schools and have made it a great school district," Taylor said. "And I feel a little part of it because I helped get it started back in '65 it is nice to come back and see all the changes that were made."

Taylor joined former superintendents, past and present school board trustees, faculty and staff, government officials, parents and students at the GCISD administration building on Thursday to celebrate the school district's 50th anniversary of consolidation.

GCISD history records indicate Colleyville joined Grapevine schools in 1962. School board trustees gathered in the superintendent's office for a special meeting to vote, after reading a petition with signatures from 27 qualified voters who supported consolidation, Superintendent Robin Ryan said.

"I wonder if the leaders who voted to combine the two school communities could have ever imagined what an impact that their decision would have on the future of this area," Ryan said. "Fifty years later we are still reaping the benefits of that bold decision to consolidate school districts. Our school district is stronger than ever and is recognized locally, statewide, nationally and internationally as a respected leader in academics, fine arts and community partnerships."

Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate said he was proud to see the accomplishments of the school district over 50 years.

"In the years that have come and gone since consolidation, there has been an emphasis on excellence by the district," Tate said. "Today, Grapevine-Colleyville is proud to have 11 schools at the primary level, four middle schools, two alternative schools and two high schools."

Mike Shelton, a GCISD school board trustee from 1992 to 1995, attended the celebration with his wife Sally. During his time as a trustee, Shelton worked on the bond campaign to build Colleyville Heritage High School, which opened in 1996. The couple wanted to show their support for GCISD.

"We have both been involved in the school district for years," he said. "And our kids went to schools here and both graduated from here."

Later this year, Sally Shelton plans to retire as a school librarian, after having worked at O.C. Taylor Elementary School since it first opened 26 years ago.

"It is always fun to see people from your past and reminisce about some of the days when we worked together," she said. "It especially makes it special, because I am retiring."