Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Construction Opening topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sierra Romero campus nearly ready; trustees debate safest timing to move students and staff
Summary
District construction staff reported the new Sierra Romero campus's mechanical and utility systems are nearly complete, with about half the classroom furniture delivered, but trustees pressed administrators to delay full occupancy until inspections, teacher orientation and traffic controls are finalized.
Construction and operations staff told the Laredo ISD board on July 15 that work to prepare the Sierra Romero (Sigaroa) campus is nearing completion but that several final inspections and utility hookups remain.
Project manager Oscar VelE1squez reported the chiller system has been energized, north-side electrical work is complete and the next electrical inspection was scheduled for the week following the meeting. He said city utilities had authorized release of several domestic water meters; plumbing subcontractors were finishing connections and CenterPoint was scheduling the gas meter installation. VelE1squez said roughly 50260% of furniture shipments were on site and that kitchen equipment was installed and being finalized. Custodial and technology preparation were under way, with classroom equipment and projectors being installed.
VelE1squez and transportation staff outlined a planned traffic and drop-off configuration on Lomas Del Sur, including a student hub and a multi-lane loop to stage buses and parent drop-off. The city's traffic department and council members were invited to meet with district staff to finalize the pedestrian crossing design and to consider flashing signals or other traffic controls at the main intersection.
Board members pressed for a firm opening date and voiced safety and operational concerns. Several trustees said they preferred a later, staged move that would give principals, teachers and support staff time to familiarize themselves with the facility and complete final safety checks. Trustees discussed options including a soft move during winter or Thanksgiving break to allow final punch-list items to be completed without students in the building; administrators said they would continue coordination with the city and return with a recommended schedule.
The district emphasized that many punch-list items had been completed and that final city inspections and permitting steps were the primary constraints on occupancy. Administrators said they would continue preparing staff training, finalize traffic-control plans with city engineers and provide the board with updates and a recommended move-in timeline.
