GILMER, Texas — Gilmer ISD welcomed students back for their first day of school on Thursday,
According to Rick Albritton, the Gilmer ISD Superintendent, the district is seeing significant growth. In the past four years, the district has welcomed approximately 400 new students.
And with new students comes new classes added to the curriculum. GISD added several new career and technology courses for students this year.
"We're partnering with some of the hospitals in Longview to be able to move our health occupations class, to be able to do some internships there," Albritton said. "We have a small bank branch in the building, so our kids are going to be learning banking, marketing, business management, in that facility, and the kids will be able to open up an account, but our kids are actually manning that facility. It's a classroom in the school. So those two new programs that I think will be real beneficial. Our kids have been excited about those too."
With the Gilmer Buckeyes being the reigning state champs after last year's win at AT&T Stadium, many in the district are looking forward to another year of high school football.