Eyes were wide and smiles were big as more than 400 students, staff, families and community leaders packed into the cafeteria at Mullendore Elementary to celebrate a milestone moment in the school’s legacy.

On Tuesday, August 5, the Birdville ISD Board of Trustees hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly rebuilt Mullendore Elementary. The ceremony marked the official opening of Birdville ISD’s first preparatory STEM academy in a building intentionally designed to bring learning to life.

“Today is about more than a building – it is about the legacy we leave behind,” said Dr. Gayle Stinson, Birdville ISD Superintendent of Schools. “With the ribbon cutting of this beautiful facility, we honor the legacy of Alliene Mullendore, an individual whose impact on Birdville ISD continues decades after her service.” 

The ceremony also included comments from Board President Ralph Kunkel and North Richland Hills Mayor Jack McCarty, along with a special musical performance from Mullendore students debuting the new school song. Principal Merrit Dobecka-Marvel served as emcee of the program.

Special guests included retired U.S. Congresswoman Kay Granger, whose mother is the namesake of the campus, and several members of the Granger family. Mullendore Elementary is named in honor of Alliene Mullendore, who dedicated her life to public education as a teacher, administrator and the first woman to serve on the BISD Board of Trustees.

The new campus, which is on the same site as the original school, is located at 4100 Flory Street in North Richland Hills. Mullendore Elementary's new building was funded by the BISD Bond Referendum that was approved by district voters in November 2022. The original school was built in 1955.

In addition to the new campus, Mullendore Elementary will now serve as a preparatory academy for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), which will create an engaging learning environment designed to spark students' curiosity and passion for STEM subjects. This initiative provides a structured pathway for students to develop STEM fluency and career awareness from elementary school through high school and beyond. Mullendore is currently accepting open enrollment applications for the 2025-2026 school year for students and families interested in a STEM-focused learning experience.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, families had the opportunity to experience the STEM-infused environment and find their classrooms during the Meet the Teacher Night. Faces of students and parents lit up as they explored the vibrant learning spaces, bright and colorful hallways, and integration of natural textures throughout the building.

"This is extremely special," said parent Victoria Rose, who is a former Mullendore Elementary student. "I went to Birdville ISD my entire life. The fact that my daughter gets to go to school here and have an even better experience than I had means a lot. This school is amazing, and I can't believe how beautiful it is."

Mullendore Elementary’s new campus was designed by VLK Architects and constructed by Lee Lewis Construction. Thank you to the BISD voters and community for continuing the Mullendore legacy and providing an engaging space to serve current and future generations. #ThisisMYBirdvilleISD