UVALDE, Texas — Almost three years after the Robb Elementary shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers, a new school could help aid the Uvalde community’s healing.

Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD) Superintendent Ashley Chohlis is hoping for that healing.

“We celebrate the milestone in our community’s journey toward healing and renewal,” Chohlis said. 

This month, Chohlis revealed that the $60 million cost of building Legacy Elementary, which will replace Robb Elementary, is now fully funded.

A $21 million donation, via the federal New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) program, filled the gap by encouraging private investment in underserved areas.

“Investors, usually financial institutions JP Morgan Chase, will come and purchase the tax credits,” Melissa Pillars said. “In exchange, they will put equity into a construction project like this.” 

The money will be used for the physical construction of the school.

Chohlis reports that fundraising is ongoing to acquire the furniture, fixtures and equipment needed for the school.

“Many of the things going inside of the school will be donated by very generous partners, and we are very thankful for that,” Chohlis said. 

The Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation and the Kate Marmion Charitable Foundation are collaborating to fully fund the remaining school resources before the fall opening.

For Chohlis, this project has involved progressing without forgetting the past.

“This project has been such a labor of love from the moment of its inception, and we are not going to rush anything. We are going to make sure everyone is comfortable to come into the building,” Chohlis said. 

She hopes each generation of students will feel the love in this community as they walk through those doors.