The 2011-2012 school year has come to a close, but the activities have not stopped. With the close of the school year, the SSISD construction project will now be in full swing. On the first Tuesday after school was out, the asbestos abatement of 4 rooms in the high school building began. The rooms were gutted and abated by Thursday afternoon which made them ready for demolition. The demolition of the three science labs began on Monday, June 04, 2012. As well, the teacher’s workroom also had the abatement completed so that new flooring could be installed. The time line for completion of the renovation of the science labs and special education classroom is August 10. The portable building that housed the Disciplinary Alternative Center has been sold and will be moved by the end of June making way for the construction of the high school science lab building. The design of the science building is complete and will go to bid at the end of June. Construction is anticipated to begin at the end of August or the beginning of September. The building will be connected to the main SSHS building through a covered walk way that will join the main entrance of the high school. Please recall that the 8th Street will be permanently closed to through traffic and the closure will take place at some point during the summer. The completion of the science lab building is expected in 6 months from the date construction has begun. The final plans for the San Saba Elementary School will be presented to the SSISD board of trustees at the regular monthly meeting in June. Administration and architect, Mike Nelson worked with a cadre of elementary teachers and campus administration to select cabinetry layout, identification of needs in the PE facility and to fine tune the plans and layout of the building. The same construction time line for the science labs will be applied to the elementary building. Plans will go to bid at the end of June and construction should begin in late August or early September. In May of 2013 the district should be fully completed with the main construction of the elementary school and all will remain at this time will be the demolition of the PK – Grade 2 buildings and a parking lot constructed where these two buildings currently exist. The construction of the SSES building is anticipated to take 10 months from the day they break ground weather permitting. It is important to remember that the elementary students will remain in their current buildings as construction is taking place. This strategy saves a significant cost since portable buildings will not have to be procured. Please recall too that since construction will begin and commence during the school year, the drop off and pick up for this campus will need to be modified and will no longer take place on Church Street. Heavy construction will be taking place on the property that borders Church Street; therefore, the main entrance will no longer be viable for drop off and pick up. A modified plan will be announced and provided to parents when the school year beginning is near. If you have questions about the progress of this project, please stop by the SSISD central administration office for a tour or to have your questions answered.