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Laredo ISD: Sigueroa Middle nears substantial completion; high school literacy center cleared for CO inspections
Summary
LAREDO ISD officials told trustees on Aug. 4 that Sigueroa Middle School is energised and nearing substantial completion while the Sigueroa High literacy center stood ready for certificate-of-occupancy inspections later that week.
LAREDO ISD — On Aug. 4 staff briefed trustees on construction progress at Sigueroa Middle School and Sigueroa High School, including timelines, remaining punch-list work and logistical items such as electrical testing and road/traffic coordination with the city.
Sigueroa Middle School: Angel Velasquez and project staff reported the facility “has been energized 100%,” including chillers and metering, and that classroom furniture and band instrument storage have been delivered and are being installed. Project staff said about 80% of projectors have mounts in place but full projector installation was delayed because construction dust could damage optics. A project architect noted construction cleaning and a district punch-list process remain: “The rooms would be usable, but there are things like a cracked tile or grout that will be completed through the punch-list and warranty process.”
Timeline: staff said the target for substantial completion moved from an earlier estimate to mid-August; project staff clarified the current goal is Aug. 18 for substantial completion of major work, with remaining punch-list items and balancing tests afterward.
Sigueroa High School: staff said the literacy center (phase 2) had inspections scheduled for the Wednesday following the meeting so the district could secure a certificate of occupancy. Construction-phase demolition of older buildings (J and K) is complete and contractors were preparing to transfer power for demolition of other structures; the literacy center will include spaces such as ceramics (kilns), art and classrooms. Staff described temporary slabs and staged access during ongoing construction to maintain safe entry and egress for site users.
JROTC and vocational facilities: staff showed plans for a new JROTC building (two-story, approximately 16,000 sq. ft.) with an estimated hard construction cost of $8.4 million (about $500/sq. ft.) and $1.9 million in soft costs (testing, asbestos abatement, etc.). A construction-document timeline was projected at about 60 days to a full set of documents (target October), after which the district would go out for bids. Trustees discussed project scope, the possibility of a rooftop agricultural space for FFA programming, and structural implications — staff said adding rooftop growing areas would increase structural requirements and cost and would need explicit board direction to include in construction documents.
Budget and funding: staff said funding for parts of these projects remains incomplete; project leaders told trustees there is some allocated money but not enough to cover the full estimated construction cost for the JROTC project and that they would return with specific funding figures at a future update.
Traffic and site coordination: trustees and staff discussed coordination with the city on pedestrian crossings and roadway improvements near Sigueroa Middle. Staff said they are working with traffic consultants and the city, with further meetings planned before occupancy to finalize crossings and signage.
