Montgomery County inspectors come almost daily to provide inspections that approve the work and establish a state of “close-in” on the new building essentially allowing the next steps for interior work to continue. The new building has all windows in place. Interior dry wall is being hung; the first floor has about 75% of the dry wall in place.  The second floor dry wall is well underway with the mechanical, plumbing and electrical work being completed at an intense pace.  The large central staircase is installed, thus linking all three levels.  Final concrete is being poured this week in the high school building.  This includes the two amphitheaters and interior basement areas. There are two additional exterior staircases that were poured and set today, one at the west end and one on the north side behind the student lounge. The predicted good weather for this week is an asset to the process.  When classes begin again on October 31st, after the October break, the bus shelter will be complete, the lampposts throughout the campus will be installed and some of the new landscaping will be planted around the administration building and the front circle. The builders have assured us that the new building will be turned over to the School for the week of Dec. 5th, 2005.  The furniture will be delivered and installed in each of the classrooms from the 5th through the 7th.  Teachers are currently making plans to move materials on the 8th and 9th.  The management team and the facilities department are  closely coordinating the move. As interior work becomes more complete, refinements are being selected, such as the clock and bell systems, the security system, signage for the new building and the campus, audio-visual and telephone data systems etc.  These areas require a great deal of coordination among the school, the builders and the architects.  The work of JFW the project manager has supported the school as we manage these various components.   Once classes are begun in the new high school, the old building will be demolished.  Details on this event will follow at a later time.