New Braunfels ISD Announces Plan to Relocate Lamar Elementary in 2025
New Braunfels ISD would like to announce plans to relocate Lamar Elementary to the new elementary campus (Elementary #11) that is being built off of Loop 337. Beginning with the 2025 school year, Lamar students, staff and its namesake will be moved to the brand new campus.
The school’s historic roots will be preserved in the “new” Lamar Elementary, while embracing the future in a new building. The school will continue to be led by current Lamar administration Chris Russell and Sara Wiles. The spirit of Lamar: its legacy; its traditions; its students; its staff and its community will continue to live on in its new location.
“I am so excited that the spirit of Lamar will continue on in a new space,” Russell said. “This move will provide the best learning environment for our kids.”
This decision was made with careful consideration by NBISD administration with recommendations from the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee (LRFPC). The LRFPC was made up of nearly 80 NBISD community members, administration and staff and has been guiding district facilities decisions for the last several years.
“We explored all viable options for Lamar, but this solution ensures that we are providing our students with the best possible environment for education,” said Superintendent Dr. Laurelyn Arterbury. “The original Lamar campus building located on N. Central Ave. will not be going away as it will continue its rich tradition of serving our NBISD community.”
As stewards of taxpayer funds, NBISD has found this to be a fiscally responsible solution for Lamar. Elementary #11 was built with the intent to alleviate current capacity issues at Veramendi Elementary and future capacity issues at Lamar Elementary. By moving Lamar to the site of Elementary #11, we feel we can accomplish both of these goals while continuing the rich legacy and heritage already in place.
This move saves hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars in specialized staff (administration, special education, child nutrition, etc.) that are required to open a new elementary campus. By relocating Lamar Elementary, these specialized staffing positions will not need to be duplicated. Plans will be made to repurpose the current Lamar Elementary building into another district facility with recommendation from the LRFPC.
The new campus will provide an excellent learning environment for all students. Some of its features will include fine arts spaces such as a music room with direct access to a stage in the cafeteria, and an art room with outdoor access. The library will feature an open‑concept design, and will feature a courtyard with an outdoor learning space, as well as second‑floor patio spaces. A dedicated science lab, large gym, and Special Education Life Skills classrooms that will include a kitchen, laundry facilities, restrooms and showers will meet the learning needs of all students.
Additionally, the new campus will offer collaborative learning and meeting spaces where students will thrive and teachers will engage in purposeful instructional planning. Parents and staff will benefit from spacious pickup and drop‑off areas and more parking, while security will be enhanced with a secured vestibule, increased perimeter fencing and lockdown gates.
Funding for the new Lamar campus is provided through the 2021 Bond Program.
