ATLANTA — The Atlanta school board announced plans Thursday to reopen a planetarium at Harper-Archer Elementary School, more than two decades after it was closed due to funding issues.

The facility, located near Fairburn Road, was one of three planetariums once operated by Atlanta Public Schools before budget cuts led to their closures.

Board member Erika Mitchell said the restored planetarium will be available to students across the district.

“Within APS, district wide, we’ll have access to the planetarium,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said the project will be funded using school system money, including ESPLOST funds, along with contributions from community partners. No total cost has been announced yet.

“When we talk about the 21st century, engagement with technology, science and math, those discussions cannot happen without bringing up planetariums in those conversations,” Mitchell said.

She added that the effort follows years of advocacy from the community.

“After years of advocacy from the community, they really have been patient in wanting to bring it back online,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said the planetarium will give students a hands-on learning experience in science.

Once completed, all Atlanta Public Schools students will be able to visit the planetarium as part of field trips.

The school board is still awaiting an opening date.

WSB Radio’s Lisa Nicholas contributed to this story.