Garden Ridge Elementary students present cultural‑center proposal for school site after closure

Students and teachers from Garden Ridge Elementary presented a student project to the Town Council on May 5 outlining a concept to repurpose Garden Ridge Elementary into a cultural center after its planned closure.

The students described a plan to keep the school's exterior footprint while reconfiguring interior spaces for rotating cultural exhibits representing countries including South Korea, Mexico, France and England. Student presenters described exhibit elements such as a cherry blossom garden and traditional performance spaces, a food court, an art room and interactive machines demonstrating simple‑machine physics tied to each country. The students also built models and a prototype ride to illustrate kinetic and potential energy.

Principal April Kennelian and teacher Christine Rountree introduced the students and said the project was student‑driven. The students said their models and additional materials were on display in the meeting lobby. No council action was taken on the proposal during the meeting; the presentation was ceremonial and intended to show student work and offer ideas for possible community reuse of the site.

Mayor and council members thanked the students for the presentation and posed no formal questions. The students and teacher posed for a photograph on stage after the presentation.