VIDOR, Texas — Today hundreds of Vidor Middle School students filled the halls of their brand new campus.
In 2017, Tropical Storm Harvey destroyed the old Vidor Middle School building and for seven years, teachers and students have had to go to school in portable buildings.
The portable buildings got old over the years, and so the new building is a welcome change.
"It's nice to be in air conditioning and not have to fight the weather changes... and to be close together. It's fun," said sixth grade ELAR teacher Charmi Sims.
"I'm so excited. We've been out of our building for seven years since Harvey flooded us. We've bene in portables.... so we've been outside in the elements. One of the years were were in the junior high in one hallway," said Staci Glach, a sixth grade math teacher.
The brand new Vidor Middle School spans over 100,000 square feet and includes classrooms with smart boards and an expansive outdoor learning area.
For the students, this new building will take some getting used to.
"I'm pretty sure they are going to give us maps because I have to go P.E. and it's all over on the other side of campus!" said sixth grader Collin Johnson.
It's been a long wait for the students and faculty of Vidor Middle School.
District leaders broke ground on the school in October 2021.
FEMA played a big role in the rebuilding process, helping Vidor Independent School District with $18.6 million in grant money for the project.