School construction projects on track for now in Alvin ISD

The $131.5 million high school, which is about 25 percent complete, is slated to open in fall 2022. With a $37.4 million construction cost, Caffey Junior High, which stands at approximately 60 percent complete, is slated for a fall 2021 opening, while the $20.1 million elementary campus, which is about 30 percent complete, is scheduled to accept students in fall 2021.

Eying materials supply chain

Although the work is on schedule, Patrick Miller, the district’s chief of operations, is happy the district built in 60- to 90-day completion schedule cushions for the work. This will buy the district time if the supply chain for materials, particularly those from other countries, is interrupted or delayed later in the building process, he said.

“(Looking forward) my concern is going to be our supply chain. Right now, we’re not choked for materials, but checking our delivery dates for a lot of (future) supplies is going to be critical.”

The $131.5 million high school, which is about 25 percent complete, is slated to open in fall 2022. With a $37.4 million construction cost, Caffey Junior High, which stands at approximately 60 percent complete, is slated for a fall 2021 opening, while the $20.1 million elementary campus, which is about 30 percent complete, is scheduled to accept students in fall 2021.

Materials that Miller will be following closely are those finishing touches used toward the end of the building process that may be coming from abroad.

“There may be a component of a light fixture that’s manufactured overseas that we need to put in the light; so we’re watching for those types of things right now,” Miller said.

Temperature checks at work sites

He said workers at the sites are following strict safety protocols related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“Construction is considered an essential job; so we are working with contractors to make sure they’re operating under the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines,” Miller said.

Safety precautions at each of the three sites includes a single point of entry, temperature checks whenever someone goes in, including vendors and delivery people, and visual checks and questioning if someone appears sick.

“If somebody comes in the morning and they look weary or haggard, they are immediately turned away,” Miller said. “Caution and precaution are the order of the day.”

He said contractors and subcontractors in Houston are following updated COVID-19-related safety parameters set by the Houston Association of General Contractors to ensure safe work sites, including the use of reusable, washable face masks. Sites also employ safety officers to ensure workers are following protocols.

While these construction projects are underway and students are learning from home, Alvin ISD is continuing its curbside meals program as well as working to complete projects often reserved for summertime.

“The groundskeepers are working, we have custodians deep-cleaning, we’re resurfacing our gym floors and our food-service folks are serving about 7,000 meals a day while masked up and following social-distancing rules,” Miller said.