With an auditorium nearly filled to capacity, Lake Travis Independent School District officials, local dignitaries, faculty, parents, and students celebrated the long-awaited dedication of Serene Hills Elementary School at a ceremony, Oct. 21.

“We are setting the foundation of a legacy,” said Serene Hills Elementary School principal Allison Cobb.  “Due to the commitment and diligence of so many, we are sailing smoothly through our first year.”

Cobb was joined by several school district and local officials including members of the Lake Travis ISD Board of Trustees, City of Lakeway Mayor Steve Swan, Village of The Hills Mayor Virginia Jones, Lake Travis ISD superintendent Dr. Rocky Kirk, and Lake Travis ISD deputy superintendent Dr. Diane Frost.

With a design capacity of 850 students, the 94,000 square foot facility currently houses approximately 537 children in kindergarten through fifth grade.  The campus consists of 42 classrooms, two computer labs, two art rooms, a science lab, a library, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and other support facilities.  It was designed by Fields & Associates Architects and built by contractor Thomas S. Byrne, Ltd., at a cost of $14,020,335.

Speaking on behalf of the Lake Travis Independent School District Board of Trustees, board president Jim Cummings thanked the many local dignitaries who attended the ribbon cutting.

 “It’s great to see how the Lake Travis Independent School District, the City of Lakeway, the Village of The Hills, and the Lakeway Municipal Utility District came together in the best interest of our students,” Cummings said. “This beautiful, new campus is a wonderful addition to the community, and we are proud to be part of it.”

Kirk echoed those sentiments.

“I am truly humbled by the presence of our friends from the City of Lakeway and the Village of The Hills, as well our parents, students, faculty and other guests who are sharing this special moment with us tonight,” Kirk said.  “However, we have only just begun.  Serene Hills Elementary brings with it hope, promise, and unlimited potential for the many students that will grace this facility for generations to come.”

Swan said the new school reflected the ever-changing landscape of the growing community.

“The character of a community is measured by the support of its citizens, the strength of its business community, the effectiveness of its city government, and certainly the quality of its schools,” Swan said.  “Lakeway is blessed with an abundance of character.”

A special performance by the Serene Hills Elementary choir led by school music teacher Felicia Hernandez was the highlight of the evening.  A mix of students sang their renditions of “We are the Future, We are the Now,” and “Under the Sea.”  

Cobb said the new school will become a familiar memory to the children that will attend it in the coming years.

“This campus is dedicated to those who spent countless hours donating their time and personal efforts to the ultimate success of Serene Hills Elementary and the students who attend and will attend for many generations to come,” Cobb said. 

The new school was built with funds from a $127 million bond package passed by voters in 2005.