Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Construction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Columbia Elementary construction: phased opening planned; classrooms scheduled for July occupancy
Summary
District staff and the project team told the board that Columbia Elementary will open in phases so students can occupy general classrooms at the start of the school year, with full building systems and shared spaces following in August and final site work finishing later in the year.
Las Cruces Public Schools staff and the Columbia Elementary project team updated the board April 22 on construction progress and a phased opening plan aimed at getting students into classrooms at the start of the school year.
Chief construction/project staff member Rodriguez said the district is planning a phased substantial completion. “Our students will be in the building for the start of the school year,” Rodriguez said, while explaining that certain shared spaces and off-site work will be completed later. He said phase 1 — which includes a secured main entry vestibule, general classroom wings, the media center, bus and parent drop-off, play courts and enclosed courtyards — has an anticipated substantial-completion date of July 16. Phase 2, which includes the cafeteria/multipurpose room, kitchen and the specials wing (art, music, STEM), is scheduled for substantial completion on Aug. 21. Phase 3 primarily covers remaining site work such as retention ponds, play fields and landscaping and was listed as a December completion.
Rodriguez and district staff said the school’s designed capacity is about 768 students; current projection for initial enrollment is around 500 students. District staff emphasized the projection is fluid because redistricting and enrollment shifts continue. The project team showed recent site photos and a drone overview of construction progress; district and contractor representatives said they are accelerating work in some areas and have contractors working Saturdays.
District staff described logistics for moving in: furniture deliveries are scheduled to begin the week of July 7 with staged storage and set-up so classrooms can be ready for teachers and students. Rodriguez said the district has met with the state fire marshal and Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA) and is coordinating required inspections, secure-vestibule access, evacuation plans and fenced construction zones to separate work areas from occupied portions of the school.
Principal Michelle Valdez and other project representatives were in the audience during the briefing. Board members asked whether parking and bus drop-off will be adequate when the initial phase is occupied; staff said the first parking lot and bus lanes included in phase 1 will be adequate for parents, staff and buses. Staff also said the district has saved memorabilia from the old Columbia campus for reinstallation and will consult community partners about display and naming.
Why it matters: Columbia Elementary is a new facility intended to relieve overcrowding elsewhere in the district and to provide modern classrooms, food-service and play areas. The phased approach is designed to balance a July opening for classrooms with continued completion of shared facilities and external site work.
Board members and staff agreed to continue updates as the project moves toward the July and August milestones.
