Borough gives update to Houston High School construction

During a joint session meeting Tuesday evening between the Mat-Su Borough Assembly and the School Board, the borough gave an update on construction for the new Houston High School.

Borough Manager Mike Brown reported that structural steel and roof decking are in place and there have been ongoing structural inspections that are expected to continue throughout the building process.

“With the spring thaw, I would expect to see construction activities pick up pace significantly in the next few weeks,” Brown said during the joint meeting.

Brown also told the group that the Borough has provided funding to the district for furnishings, funding, and equipment, as wells as funding to reset existing consolidated facilities. The Borough will continue to monitor for supply chain delays and any cost escalations that may arise.

Assembly Member Jeff Taylor brought up the possibility of a community update meeting for the residents in Houston, both Brown and Mat-Su Borough School District Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani agreed it would be a good idea and would like to plan such a meeting before the end of the current school year.

Brown urged to have a community meeting in order for parents and students to know what to expect in the fall and to engage in conversations about possible course offerings and programs.

Houston Middle School was damaged during the November 2018 earthquake, later condemned, and subsequently demolished in December 2020. Meanwhile, the schools were forced to combine into the Houston Junior-Senior High School while construction has gotten underway.

The estimated delivery date for the new Houston High School is December 2022, with an anticipated opening of January 2023.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Katie Stavick at katie.stavick@frontiersman.comh