Mineral Wells Area News

GORDON, Texas — Gordon Independent School District is still in active recovery mode following the EF-1 tornado that struck the community on May 18, damaging school buildings, destroying parts of the athletic complex, and forcing the district to end the school year early.

The tornado hit during a community baccalaureate ceremony, with students, families, and local leaders sheltering inside a school building as the storm passed. In total, two structures were destroyed and 59 buildings were damaged across Gordon, according to emergency management officials.

Despite the destruction, the district held its high school graduation as planned, and the Gordon Longhorn baseball team continued an inspiring playoff run amid the chaos.

Baseball Team Carried On Despite Storm Losses

The Gordon High School baseball team was in the middle of its postseason push when the tornado struck, losing its home practice facilities and equipment. Undeterred, the team continued its playoff run with the support of neighboring schools and the local community.

Though they ultimately fell short of a state title in the final game, the Longhorns’ perseverance became a point of pride for the town.

Repairs and Construction Underway

Superintendent Holly Campbell confirmed this week that roof repairs have begun on multiple buildings across the campus, including the elementary and secondary schools and both gymnasiums.

The elementary building is completely closed to the public while crews remove and replace the entire roof.

The old gym is also under construction, with scaffolding in place to repair ceiling tiles and address roof damage. Interior repairs—including sheetrock, carpet, insulation, and paint—will follow once roofs are secured.

Athletic Complex Faces Major Rebuild

The school’s athletic facilities, which sustained the most damage, remain in the cleanup phase. Campbell said the effort has been entirely volunteer-driven so far and noted that rebuilding will take time due to modern engineering and safety code requirements.

“Our current playing surfaces are not usable, as they are riddled with debris and will need to be completely scraped and resurfaced,” she said in a message to families.

The district is still awaiting engineering reports and insurance evaluations and anticipates a large gap in funding due to the age of the 30-year-old facility.

Gordon ISD did not qualify for FEMA or emergency funds, but has applied for grants and is seeking advice from other districts that have faced similar disasters.

Support from the Community and Beyond

As recovery continues, support from across the region has poured in. Local volunteers have handled the initial cleanup, and nearby schools have offered facilities and equipment to help keep student programs going.

A recent donation from beverage distributor KEG 1 O’Neal is also expected to help families prepare for the new school year. The company contributed $5,000 worth of $50 gift cards, which will be distributed to families for back-to-school expenses, according to Gordon Mayor Sherrye Mills.

School Calendar Contingency Plans

Gordon ISD is currently planning for two potential school start dates: August 14 or August 25. Campbell said the earlier date is more likely, but the later start could be used in a worst-case scenario, which would likely require a shift to a five-day school week.

“We hope to have a clearer picture of our building readiness by mid-July and will communicate a final decision as soon as possible,” she said.

Looking Ahead

While the path to recovery remains long, Campbell praised the efforts of coaches, staff, and volunteers who continue to push forward.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure a safe and strong start to the school year—whatever day that may be,” she said.

The district will be closed the week of July 4 and will reopen on Monday, July 7. More detailed updates are expected later in the month.