New Sandy Hook Elementary opens 4 years after shooting

NEWTOWN, Conn. — A new structure has replaced what was the original site of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut.

The Associated Press reported that the new 86,000-square-foot school cost $50 million. It was funded by a state grant.

>> Read more trending stories

"It's always emotional. You always want to remember those who just lost their lives, and I think it's a huge tribute to what Sandy Hook was and what we intend (it) to be in the future, and that's just a warm, smart environment," Dr. Kathy Gombos, principal of Sandy Hook, told WVIT Friday.

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Erardi told WVIT the goal of the new structure is to provide a "warm and comfortable environment for students."

"I can also share with you the security measures in this building are second to none," he said.

Those features include a gated entrance, impact-resistant windows, an elevated ground floor, video monitoring, locks at entrances and card readers.

Landscaping makes it clear to those inside the school who is approaching the building.

Footage of the new school building from KFDM can be seen below:

Erardi would not say if the building would have a dedicated memorial to the 20 first-graders and six educators killed in the shooting.

"I'm going to pass on answering that because it involves the conversations I've had with the impacted families and those will always remain confidential," he said.

Cox Media Group