As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, one’s thoughts automatically turn to graduation ceremonies and end-of-school-year activities before the summer break.

However, administrators (as well as teachers, students and parents) in at least two Bee County school districts are eyeing the future.

The Pawnee ISD held a grand opening celebration in honor of its new school building last Thursday evening in the school cafeteria.

“[This building] is a tremendous improvement from the old one,” said Principal Demetrio D. Garcia. “Every classroom is wireless and equipped with projectors. Each fifth- through eighth-grader is issued a laptop.”

The state-of-the-art school has a fully equipped science lab and a computer lab with stations designed for learning different types of software.

The Pawnee students also are enjoying the benefits of two grants the district has received – for an innovative after-school center and a computer program to improve junior high math.

Congratulations are in order for the Pawnee board of trustees, Superintendent Elaine Richardson and other school officials.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the county, the Skidmore-Tynan ISD is contemplating purchasing property for a proposed new elementary school.

Dr. Brett Belmarez, superintendent, was authorized during last week’s board meeting to begin obtaining qualifications for the architect – one of the first steps in having a new elementary school constructed.

If voters approve a referendum in November to fund the plans, a new elementary school will be built on property somewhere in the Skidmore-Tynan area.

A TEA study found the present elementary school building is “educationally and economically obsolete.” Most of the classrooms are smaller than state minimum standards and don’t lend themselves to cost-effective “fixing” for long-term use.

So, Belmarez noted, in order to get the new school built, the district will need to move quickly.

“If trustees were to pursue a bond election to coincide with the November election, that bond referendum has to be called by Aug. 20,” he said.

We trust Belmarez, the STISD board and other officials will come up with the right decisions for this TEA exemplary district.