Construction continues to progress rapidly at Jennings Elementary School with the majority of the work expected to be nearly complete or finished by the time students return to school on Aug. 12.

Architect Steve Hotard gave an update on the project this week to members of the Jeff Davis Parish School Board’s Ward II Committee.

Most of the work on the $24 million building is anticipated to be completed by the end of July, but some work including outside structures, trimming and landscaping will likely be completed after school starts, Hotard said.

“The new school is going very well and things are moving at lightning speed,” Hotard said. “ At this point we have no reason to believe that we will not be occupying the school on the first day of school in August.”

He said dates have been set for moving administrators and teachers into the building and training employees on kitchen equipment, HVAC systems, audio and visual systems and elevator operations. Dates have also been set for setting up the school’s information technology infrastructure, delivering and setting up new furniture and fire marshal inspections.

“I may be a little stressed out and nervous, but it is because we are working so hard to make sure it gets done and I have no reason that it won’t,” Hotard said. “I am doing my best to put myself in the school’s shoes and try to get things turned over as efficiently and timely as possible.”

Classroom wings will be opened first to allow teachers to set up their classrooms prior to the start of school. The library and kitchen will be the next to open, Hotard said.

A new turning lane for the school is expected to be completed next week, along with the soft surfacing of the playground.

“Every day something comes up and we are moving things around on the calendar and trying to make sure everybody is being thought of,” he said.

Hotard said is working with the contractor to prioritize the project to ensure that the most important areas are completed in time for the start of school. The last thing to go up will likely be the security gate, he said.

The 135,000-square-foot two-story structure, located on a 20-acre site on LA 26 south, will bring students from the former Jennings Elementary School and James Ward Elementary School together on one campus.

Once open, the school will have a capacity of 1,200 students in grades pre-kindergarten to sixth grade.

The new school will have five wings, 76 classrooms, a cafeteria, administrative offices, library, restrooms, a multi-purpose area with stage and gym, two elevators and stairways. Classrooms will be located on both levels with a shared space in the middle.

Pre-kindergarten through second grade classrooms will occupy the first floor with all other grade levels on the second floor.

Other features will include covered drop-off and pick-up areas for vehicles and buses, playground area and a separate pre-K and maintenance storage building. A security fence will enclose the playground and parking areas with an electronic gate providing for a secured entrance into the building.

Funding for the project was included in a $29.5 million bond issue and a separate half-cent sales tax approved by voters in March 2019.

The new school is the first new school for Jeff Davis Parish since the opening of the new Jennings High School in 2005.