By George Slaughter
Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center (Katy ISD photo)
Katy’s Gerald D. Young Agriculture Sciences Center will be part of an exhibit representing recently-completed or renovated school architecture.
The Texas Association of School Administrators and Texas Association of School Boards manage the Exhibit of School Architecture. They said the center will be among 46 projects in their 2021-22 exhibit.
The Agriculture Sciences Center received citations for design, value, innovation, community, and transformation.
Lisa Kassman, executive director of facilities, planning and construction, said the center enables the district to provide active learning opportunities about agriculture, animals and nature.
A 12-member jury issues the awards. The jury includes four school board members and four school administrators. It also includes four members from the Association for Learning Environments Southern Region.
The juried exhibit cited 22 projects in one or more of six areas. They are design, value, innovation, community, planning and school transformation.
The district recently expanded and modernized the Agricultural Sciences Center.
Todd Lien, VLK Architects managing partner, said the facility design was a community effort. It involved community members, business leaders, rodeo and FFA members. It also included students, teachers, administrators. and family members of the people for whom the facilities were named.
“The buildings and grounds reflect the strong history of agricultural science in the Katy area and Katy ISD,” Lien said.
