LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There is excitement in the halls of the brand new Indian Trail Elementary school as teachers prepare their rooms for the first day of classes. 

3rd grade teacher Allison Shockley puts the final touches on her new classroom (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

“You know you kind of dream up what your perfect school to look like and here we are so it’s pretty cool to see it all come to fruition,” Allison Shockley, a third-grade teacher, said.

On Monday, the district held a ribbon cutting for the new facility which is behind where the old building stood. 

This newly completed school features wide hallways, improved heating and cooling systems, a large outdoor courtyard, and a tornado shelter. All things that Jefferson County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio says sets this apart from the old school. 

“So this is the first step, you know I want to say this is what we’ve been talking about all this time is these great facilities that impact kids and student learning and I think it says a lot to the community of Newburg how much we mean, how much it means for our kids,” Dr. Pollio said.

Previously, teachers said electrical and heating issues caused distractions throughout the school day, now that’s no longer an issue.

“Especially to see the kid’s faces light up when they come through and just the pride that they have being a part of this new building, the new experience, and just the community and general,” Shockley said.

Jordan Saunders' classroom at Indian Trail Elementary (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

Other teachers are feeling the excitement as well.

“I think it’s going to make learning such a better environment for them,” Jordan Saunders said.

Saunders teaches first grade and has nearly finished setting up her room. This is her second year as a teacher and knows how hard it’s been for kids over the last few years.

“Just being able to have that safe space and things being brand new is so rewarding and the kids want to learn, but when you don’t have a good environment, it’s so hard for them, especially when COVID hit,” Saunders said.

Now with better access to technology, Saunders believes they’ll be able to help get kids back to where they need to be with their education.

“When you do see your kids come in and see their new building, see their new desks, see their new material, it really does make it all worth it,” Shockley said.

Indian Trail Elementary is the second new school opened in Jefferson County since 2010. Dr. Pollio says at least three more are scheduled to open in the new few years.