The city has experienced considerable growth in the 21st century. It has risen to nearly 30 thousand people in 25 years, and it’s continuing to grow. Because of this, the district has expanded from a single brick schoolhouse in the 1900s to now five elementary schools, a school just for sixth graders, a middle school for seventh and eighth, and a four-story high school for 9-12th grade.

ISS Monitor Annette Hernandez, who’s in her 22nd year, wanted out of coaching and was urged by a friend to become a Spanish teacher. She has watched the school and district grow during her time here.

“I feel like it was bound to happen, it just took a while,” Hernandez said. It has exploded in the last three years.”

Art Teacher Diana Ortiz is only on her third year, and she came from a big school district beforehand.

“There were some growing pains that had to be handled,” Ortiz said. “There’s been a lot of growth in houses and roadwork, and the stadium was barely built.”

Campus Testing Facilitator Christina Stover has been here since the 2003-04 school year. At the time she says, the town was so small they had nothing but a Sonic that was in the process of being built.

“It’s exciting, but sad,” Stover said. “I feel like the district will continue growing until the land is full. I wish everybody still knew everybody.”