Jaynes Corporation Senior Project Manager David Hawthorne answered questions from students at an assembly  earlier this week about construction underway on the new Piñon Elementary School. Courtesy/LAPS

Piñon Elementary School Principal Ivanna Austell, LAPS Assistant Superintendent Mike Johnson and LAPS Construction Manager Robert Hollman with Jaynes Construction at Wednesday’s assembly. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) thanks voters for their support for local school facilities. Construction of the new Piñon Elementary School is taking shape as the outline of the new building can be seen from overhead.

The project has been in the development stages for several years. The LAPS School Board approved the plans for the new school in 2020. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in July 2023, and crews jumped into action in early August.

Staff and students attended a construction assembly earlier this week where they heard from the contractors and saw 3D models of the new school building. Principal Ivanna Austell received her own hard hat and personalized vest to wear on the construction site.

Students who are part of the Piñon Elementary K-Kids presented hot chocolate packets and other treats to the construction crew in appreciation of their hard work.

The contractors have been excavating and grading the site. Geo testing done before work started indicated that there was rock just below the surface, but the amount now being removed is more than expected.

Some of the basalt rock being removed is being donated by Los Alamos Public Schools to the county to be used to restore some of the areas affected by the fires, by the Los Alamos Reservoir, and canyon. Keystone Restoration Ecology is in the process of loading and hauling rock from Pinon. Clean engineered fill dirt is being brought into the site and spread and compacted.

Some footings have been dug, steel rebar installed, and concrete has been poured. Some underground utility conduit and pipe have also been installed. They will be pouring a portion of the concrete slab soon.

They are continuing to excavate and grade for the rest of the building foundation.

The perimeter fencing will also be installed soon, allowing for portions of the temporary fencing to be removed. Even though the perimeter fence will be in place, the construction area can be dangerous and is still off limits. No unauthorized persons are allowed into the construction area at any time. Please remind your children not to enter the construction area at any time, even if no construction work is being done.

The new school should be ready for occupancy by the end of 2024. The current school building will then be removed, and replaced with a new play area and parking lot.

Here is the timeline for the project:

• August – December 2023: Surveying, earthwork, foundations, underground plumbing, and floor slabs installed.
• January – May 2024: Structural steel erection, steel stud framing, sheathing, and stucco at exterior walls.
• February – August 2024: Interior heating/cooling and electrical infrastructure followed by wall finishes, flooring, cabinets, and other finishes. Exterior playgrounds, parking lots, and landscaping at north and west sides of the new building.
• September – December 2024: Electrical power turned on, heating/air conditioning system fine- tuned, building ready for occupancy. Staff to relocate into the new facility late December.
• January – May 2025: Old buildings will be abated of asbestos and demolished.
• June – September 2025: New turf play area, parking lot, and landscaping installed south of new building.
• September 30 2025: Project Complete

Some of the basalt rock being removed is being donated by Los Alamos Public Schools to the County to be used to restore some of the areas affected by the fires near by the Los Alamos Reservoir and canyon. Courtesy/LAPS