The school of tomorrow is here today at Corbin Primary

Awesome! That is what a little girl who will be in kindergarten at Central Primary this fall said to Corbin Independent School Superintendent Ed McNeel when he asked her what she thought of the new building.
That little girl said more than I could because I didn’t have adequate words to describe this new facility. It is beyond anything I have ever seen in a school. It is the most dynamic building I have seen built in Corbin in my lifetime.
Not only is it beautiful, it undoubtedly will enhance student’s learning. Call it the school of tomorrow.
The media was given a tour of the new school Monday. Supt. McNeel showed and explained to us the advantages the building will offer students.
He and others within the school system visited schools elsewhere to get ideas they wanted to incorporate in this building.
The teachers suggested that since Corbin’s heritage was the railroad this theme would be used.
And used to perfection it is. An artist from London, Emily Lackey and her sister, have done paintings on walls that are superb.
As you enter the building you see a train coming toward you. Not really, it only appears that way. At the end of each pod is an the artist’s rendering of a train.
After you enter the central commons area and look back you see the Corbin underpass with a train moving over the opening. Supt. McNeel said this was his favorite.
I especially liked the diesel train which appears from the pod on the left. But then the painting of Cumberland Falls and the one of the Cumberland Gap tunnel, oh well, all of them are great and carry out the local theme.
But aside from the beautiful ceiling and the paintings, the classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium, everything is designed to offer a superior learning experience for the students.
Parents when you take your kindergarten child to this school it will have a computer to work on. The teacher in the classroom has a computer that projects on some kind of magic screen to help with instructions.
The same goes for the first and second grade students. Each of the students are housed in one of the three pods which in a way is a separate school of its own.
Teachers will team to offer instruction in the central pod that allows students to experience a different learning setting. Not only that, McNeel told us they could even go outside under the protective awning on a rainy day.
The cafeteria is large and roomy, more spacious than the commons area at the high school. It can accommodate big banquet crowds. McNeel told us that he welcomes community groups to use this area.
I could go on and on about the pluses of this building, but you can see for yourself Monday evening, July 28th at 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to the Grand Celebration of the opening of the school.
Credit should be given to McNeel, members of the school board, teachers and other staff for their expertise and vision to build a facility that offers so much.
Already it will be at capacity with an estimated 500 or more students. To accommodate the increase in enrollment Central Elementary, formerly Central Primary, will house grades 3 & 4. South elementary, now Corbin Intermediate will have grades 5 & 6 and grades 7 & 8 will be at the Corbin Middle School.
It may surprise you but the new primary school is located in about the middle of the Corbin School District. It is a beautiful location with plenty of room for expansion.
Visit this facility Monday. You will be amazed!