Sigaroa campus construction progressing; trustees press for firm readiness date

LAREDO, Texas ' Laredo ISD staff provided progress updates and photos on multiple construction projects at Sigaroa Middle and High School, the adjacent Literacy Center and related site work, and trustees asked for a firm date when the new Sigaroa facility will be ready for occupancy.

Mister Angel Velasquez and project staff displayed interior images of the new facility, including lobbies, administration areas and classrooms, and cited active punch-list work across trades. "A lot of the trades are already doing their punch list as we speak," Velasquez said when trustees sought a target readiness date.

Move-in timing and readiness

- Staff said the building should be ready in October and confirmed campus leaders will still move students in December by district preference. "Definitely, I think by October right now ... That would be a good, yes. Definitely," a project representative said when asked whether October is a reasonable readiness target; campus leadership confirmed the actual move will occur in mid-December.

- Trustees pressed for assurances that classroom technology and internet connectivity will be ready when projectors and short-throw units are installed. Velasquez said conduit and power infrastructure are in place and subcontractor schedules are being coordinated for equipment installation.

Field and site work

- The new football field will receive irrigation and seeding; staff said seeding is scheduled for next week and a meter and water services are in place. Project staff said the field will likely be usable for practice within weeks but cautioned that the field may appear dormant and yellow in December because warm-season grasses go dormant in winter.

Literacy center and phases 2/2.5

- The literacy center has a temporary certificate of occupancy while a fire alarm connection is completed (scheduled by Sept. 6). Students are already using classrooms in the literacy center, including computer labs, physics classrooms and art rooms. Staff described ongoing demolition for phases 2 and 2.5 and expected foundation work to begin after clearing and concrete removal.

ROTC/greenhouse debate

- Trustees discussed whether to include a rooftop greenhouse for the Martin High School JROTC facility. Architects said adding a greenhouse or roof garden would require structural redesigns, possible elevator changes and a rework of multiple pages of construction drawings, which increases cost. Some trustees urged staff to obtain cost estimates for alternate drawings so the board can decide whether to include the greenhouse in bid documents or add it later. "At this point in time ... once they finish, then, you know, we cannot that easily include it," a project representative said; trustees asked staff to return with cost estimates and options.

What remains

- Project staff said punch-list work, fire alarm final connections and finishing trades will continue; staff will follow up with photos of the field and a more detailed installation schedule for classroom projectors and network connectivity.

The meeting did not record formal votes on construction items; trustees asked staff to provide firm cost estimates and timelines in future updates.