By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LULING – R.K. Smith Middle School will be accepted at the Aug. 10 St. Charles School Board meeting after a long delay for completion.

R.K Smith Middle School in Luling had a completion date for fall of last year, but due to many change orders and roofing problems, the completion date was set back.

“The owners will come to inspect for substantial completion July 15,” said Ben Thompson of Thompson Construction Company. “We had delays. We worked for months without a roof, because the original roofer asked for more money and with the rain, we were worried about mold, but no mold was found.”

Thompson said other delays were from concrete and other minor things.

“We have a few other minor things to complete on the school,” Thompson said. “We have to be finished with that before school starts in mid-August.”

St. Charles School Board Physical Plant Services Director Larry Sesser said this R.K. Smith is the replacement of Landry Middle School and the Satellite School will be a new addition for specialty courses.

“The school is about 80 percent complete,” Sesser said. “We are also on schedule with the Satellite School located right next to R.K. Smith next to Interstate 310 by River Road. The school should open around Sept. 2 depending on rain days. Until then, the students will be at the central office building.”