Construction continues at Kolter Elementary School with structural steel of the new building nearly complete.

Crews will now begin the installation of both the first- and second-floor slabs. Exterior wall framing will begin next month.

“Watching the beams and framing come to life has made all the difference,” Kolter Principal Julie Dickinson said. “It’s so exciting to see a second floor and to begin to visualize learning spaces and common areas. I can’t believe we’re less than a year away from moving into our new school home.”

The foreign language magnet is one of four elementary schools — Braeburn, Mitchell, Scarborough, and Kolter — being rebuilt as a result of damages sustained in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey.

Kolter’s $23 million facility will accommodate about 750 students. The two-story 91,300-square-foot building will feature open, brightly colored learning spaces, large windows, abundant natural light, and extended learning spaces throughout the building for individual and group collaboration.

HISD trustees voted in December 2017 to rebuild the schools after facilities assessments found significant property damage, as well as a strong need to raise the elevation of the buildings to prevent potential future flood damage.

The construction projects are being constructed by Construction Manager at Risk Satterfield & Pontikes Construction and are slated to open in 2020.

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