Teachers and administrators welcomed students back to “Velt Nation” after a year of absence while Roosevelt High School of Innovation was under construction

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The $64-million renovation is still underway, but it’s complete enough that students moved back “home” after taking up residence at the O.W. Holmes Humanities and Communication Academy campus.

New classrooms, a career and technical building, library, cafeteria and kitchen, band and choir halls, culinary arts lab and an administrative suite have been completed. Still under construction are a fine-arts addition that doubles as a storm shelter, a new competition gym, upgrades to outdoor athletics areas and various interior and exterior renovations.

Dallas ISD trustee Maxie Johnson thanked Roosevelt alumni and everyone who pushed for improvements to the school before presenting the Roosevelt’s new principal, LaKisha Thomas, with a ceremonial key to the school Monday.

“We are taking Roosevelt to the next level,” Thomas said.

The renovations are expected to be complete in February, and a celebration is planned for next spring.