The opening of the new Brewton Middle School is still on track for the new school year — although continued work may make for a tight squeeze on the schedule.
Superintendent Lynn Smith told school board members Monday that AT&T has given the school system a deadline of Aug. 15 to have phone and Internet lines completed — but that is the same day that children are expected at the school.
“We can’t move out there until we get phone service,” he said. “I think we have a commitment to get it done before that date.”
In the meantime, work continues on the finishing touches for the new school. Student desks are expected to be delivered Monday, and other furnishings will be moved in next week as well, Smith said.
But because construction workers remain at the school, teachers have been asked not to go to the new site.
“We probably have more workers now than ever,” Smith said.
School officials are also working on new bus routes. About 150 children are expected to be new bus riders this year, because of the move to the new middle school, Smith said.
School board member Terrill Neal said the school system initially expected about 200 new bus riders, but he said the number could increase as parents get accustomed to the new school.
The new Brewton Middle School is located on U.S. 31 North at Old Castleberry Road. Alabama Department of Transportation workers have been working on adding a turn lane near the location, and a new traffic signal is also expected to go up soon. City officials said it would be up soon but not operational until school begins.