Aquila J. Morgan High School opened its doors this week as Hillsborough County Public Schools highlighted a $178,000,000 new facility and a slate of career and technical programs for students. Superintendent Van Ayers and Principal Wilhelm led a public welcome at the school’s inaugural event on the campus.

The new school will offer cosmetology, esports, auto mechanics and a state-of-the-art culinary lab, officials said. “It is just beautiful,” Principal Wilhelm said, calling the school the district’s 29th high school and urging students to take advantage of the new programs.

Why it matters: The district frames the new school as part of broader investments from a recent local sales-tax referendum and ongoing capital projects intended to expand career-technical education and ease capacity pressures. Superintendent Van Ayers thanked staff and the inaugural faculty, saying being “part of an inaugural staff” creates lasting culture for the school.

District leaders described the building as a major capital investment. “Opening a new school is a huge undertaking,” Van Ayers said. He also noted a ribbon-cutting last week attended by many members of the Morgan family who, he said, honored the legacy behind the name.

The principal and superintendent urged students to use new course offerings. Officials said Plant City Technical College—another district facility—will open this fall and that high school students will be able to take courses beginning in January; district staff will name the technical college at the August 26 board meeting. Course areas mentioned for the technical college include industrial electricity, welding technology, building construction, HVAC and forklift certification.

No formal board action or vote accompanied the event; remarks were part of a public opening and briefing on programs and facilities. The district also said it will continue to roll out information to families through a new district website and mobile app.

Less critical details: The event included student remarks and introductions of several school-board members. School Board Chair Jessica Vaughn and other board members attended and joined in recognizing principals and staff who led recent school improvements.

Officials said students return to classrooms on Monday, Aug. 11.