A new school for Canyon ISD

The Heritage Hedgehogs now have a school building they can call home. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held earlier Thursday to signify the schools open.

"We’ve worked really hard these last few weeks just establishing expectations and getting everybody on the same page," said Principal Tina Finke. "We’re very fortunate that we have teachers coming from nine different campuses across Canyon ISD. And so, just coming together and really forming good relationships with the kids and getting to know everyone."

During the ribbon ceremony superintendent of Canyon Independent School District, Dr. Darryl Flusche said that this new campus wouldn’t be possible without the support and patience of the community allowing them to grow.

"It’s a sense of optimism about the growth and progress continuing, and that the schools are there to serve the students and the developments that happen with the new residential construction," said Flusche.

Finke said the community has been more than welcoming.

"They’ve been very good, we have a strong PTA, a lot of people that want to be involved with the school as much as they can without physically coming into the building. Very supportive of everything that we ask," said Finke.

Canyon ISD School Board President Bill Jenkins said this just shows the positive growth between the City of Amarillo and Canyon ISD.

"When you look at the expected growth of this area, everything is happening in Canyon ISD. Amarillo has no further place to go except southwest and it puts everything in our district," said Jenkins.

Savannah Tarbet, Director of Marketing for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, said any growth for the city is good growth and that it has the chance to bring in new people to help boost our economy.

"It just shows how we’ll be able to handle that growth going forward. By providing that infrastructure and more opportunities for employees who are relocating here to send their kids to other schools," said Tarbet.

Heritage Hills is only one of three new schools expected for Canyon ISD, with Spring Canyon Elementary opening this year and West Plains High School starting operations next fall.