Garland ISD is building a new home for learning and community: Linda L. Griffin Elementary. Named for the district’s longest-serving board trustee, the school honors Griffin’s 27 years of dedication while creating a welcoming, state-of-the-art space for students and families.

Griffin has proudly served on the Garland ISD Board of Trustees since 1998, championing equity, opportunity, and excellence across the district. Now her name will stand as a daily inspiration to future generations of learners.

“This school will be a place of opportunity, collaboration, and growth, values that reflect everything Linda Griffin has worked for during her time as a trustee,” said Superintendent Dr. Ricardo López. “It is an honor to celebrate her unmatched service by creating a school where students can thrive under her legacy.”

Griffin described the honor as both humbling and uplifting, sharing that it brought “mixed emotions.” She said she feels blessed and grateful, giving “all praise to God” for the recognition. “I was surprised, honored, humbled, and excited,” Griffin said.

The three-story, innovative facility is designed with the future in mind. Beyond modern classrooms and collaborative learning spaces, the building will feature a community room and a dedicated tribute to Griffin’s decades of leadership, including her ABC Motto of Service: “Always Benefiting Children,” which will be prominently displayed in the library. Designed to incorporate nature and create a welcoming atmosphere, the campus will serve not only as a place of learning but also as a beacon in the neighborhood.

Her commitment to community involvement has been a guiding force throughout her service in GISD. “The district’s success depends on the support and involvement of families and citizens,” Griffin explained. “We must educate every child while recognizing their uniqueness, culture, and traditions. Parents trust us with their children to reach high school graduation with the knowledge and skills needed to become self-sufficient citizens.”

The consolidated Heather Glen Montclair Elementary community will proudly transition into the new Linda L. Griffin Elementary when it opens. Students and staff will carry forward the roadrunner mascot that both campuses previously shared, preserving the culture and spirit of the past while building a vibrant future together.

The move continues a successful trend across Garland ISD. Over the past several years, the district has consolidated 12 schools into six, with each one showing accelerated growth in Texas Education Agency accountability ratings.

When the campus opens its doors, Linda L. Griffin Elementary will stand as more than a school. It will be a community fixture, a space where families gather, neighbors connect, and students thrive. The Griffin Roadrunners are ready to begin their next chapter together.

Looking beyond the naming of Linda L. Griffin Elementary, she hopes her legacy will reflect the dedication she has poured into education. “May the service I have rendered speak for my passion for children and education,” she declared.

To learn more about Linda Griffin and her decades of service to Garland ISD students, visit the Garland ISD website.

Watch an animated rendering video of the new campus below, which showcases its natural spaces and community gathering areas, designed with students and families in mind.

*The renderings in the video may not be finalized designs and are subject to change.