Here's where the project to build a new Chaparral Middle School stands

Alamogordo Public Schools continued progress in building a new Chaparral Middle School on Fairgrounds Road.

The school on its current location at 1401 College Avenue, is in disrepair and is in process of being rebuilt on the Fairgrounds Road location on Hang Glider Park, 3000 North Florida Avenue.

The project was discussed at the regular Alamogordo Public Schools Board of Education regular meeting on June 16.

"We're not talking about a structure," Alamogordo Public Schools Superintendent Jerrett Perry said. "We're not talking about a building. We're not talking about school. We're talking about something much bigger and greater than that and I think you're going to be very, very happy with the end result."

Perry added that some renderings of the new Chaparral Middle School will be ready for the Alamogordo Public Schools Board of Education's perusal in the near future.

Perry and 17 other officials were in Santa Fe the week of June 16 discussing the Chaparral Middle School project.

Perry also had meetings with the New Mexico Public Schools Facility Authority to work on streamlining the processes and issues the Authority has had with supply and personnel due to the ongoing economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New site:Alamogordo schools, city finalize land exchange for new middle school site

"I'm really excited with the direction this is going," Alamogordo Public Schools Chief of Capital Outlay and Facilities Justin Burks said. "We have been focusing a lot on going into the programming aspect of the building which is going to encompass all of the particular things like the number of classrooms we're going to need; what kind of programs, how we're going to be utilizing the building; what kind of spaces are needed for all of that."

Burks said he expected the Chaparral Middle School project to be done within budget. 

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In November 2020, the City of Alamogordo and Alamogordo Public Schools agreed on a land swap to establish Chaparral Middle School's new location at Hang Glider Park.

The land exchange agreement includes $200,000 for an irrigation system and landscaping to be done once the school is demolished.

The Alamogordo Public Schools Board of Education decided in July 2020 following a geotechnical report that the best route would be to build a new Chaparral Middle School on a new location.

The current location sits on collapse-prone soils whose structural values change as they get wet.

A $17 million General Obligation Bond was approved by Otero County voters in November 2019 for the project.

The state  committed 60 percent of the project's funds and the General Obligation Bond represents the other 40 percent the district needs for the project.

The estimated total amount is between $35 million and $40 million.

The New Chaparral Middle School will house 650 to 700 students, the current Chaparral Middle School holds 800 students.

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter.