ORANGE — A newly renovated Educational Service Center for the West Orange – Cove CISD brought the school district to the 21^st century with space to allow for growth in the district.

The facility also houses a Community Outreach Room to train teachers and is able to be utilized as a multi-purpose room. Superintendent Rickie R. Harris also rents the room for non-profit organizations with final approval.

The principal or organizational manager must approve each facility rental requests. The athletic director approves athletic facilities. The superintendent has final approval on all facilities.

First step is filling out a Facilities Use Request Form available at the district’s website or at the Educational Service Center, 902 W. Park Avenue in Orange.

“Certain things are not allowed on campus,” Harris said. “It cannot cause a distraction to providing an education to our children.”

An items list of what is not permitted is included in a packet of information referencing facility rentals and included possession and use of intoxicating beverages, controlled substances and tobacco products.

Religious organizations are allowed to rent facilities if the proper forms and requirements are met.

“We want to help the community and bring a positive light to the community,” Harris said. “Even Earl Thomas III has to fill out the forms for his football camp.”

The multi-purpose room also held the Candidates Forum in April for candidates seeking seats on city council for the City of Orange, as well as candidates seeking positions for the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District’s Board of Trustees. The Orange branch of the NAACP hosted the event. The organization is currently holding monthly meetings at the facility.

Prior to the renovations of the Educational Service Center for the West Orange – Cove CISD, the building was the Anderson Elementary School. The school was not utilized for approximately two years after the opening of West Orange Cove Elementary at 2605 MLK Jr Drive in Orange.