School officials are fastly working with the goal of August 2009 as the opening date for the city’s new middle school.

Work in Phase 1 of the district’s Strategic Facilities Plan is nearing completion and officials are looking forward to Phase 2 of the plan.

While Phase 1 involved various improvements at the existing schools in the district, Phase 2 will include the construction of a new middle school.

Laurel School District Superintendent Dr. Glenn McGee told the media during a press conference Tuesday that tremendous progress is being made with the School District’s construction and renovation projects.

“Over the course of the next few months, there will be a lot of work going on around our schools,” McGee said. “You will see work going on at every school.”

McGee said the new Laurel Middle School — which will house sixth, seventh and eighth graders — will be located between Maddox and Stainton Elementary School on the site of the current baseball field.

“The School District owns 25 acres of land from the corner of Grandview to Ferrell and from Ferrell to 19th Street,” the superintendent explained. “The new school fits perfectly on this property with Stainton Elementary and Maddox.

“Upon the completion of the project, we will have approximately 1,100 students in this one area,” McGee explained, adding that the new middle school will be able to accommodate over 700 students.

McGee said the new facility will include a science lab, along with classrooms for art, computer, gifted studies, a media center, a commons area, a gym with space for 1000 seats; and space for band and chorus.

According to architectural plans, the new school will have three wings designated to the three grade levels being assigned to the middle school.

“For the most part, all of the academic studies for each of the grades will be handled on their (respective) wing,” McGee explained.

Documents for the new middle school are expected to be completed by May 26 with advertisement for bids occurring the end of this month and the first of June.

“Without question there will be major work going on this summer. However, there’s room for a lot of local participation,” McGee said. “We encourage the public to take part in the project and become involved in the process.”

The bids for the new school construction are expected to be opened on June 24. The letting of the contract is scheduled for June 27.

McGee said August 2009 is the projected date of completion of the new school.