On Wednesday, May 1, the district’s construction contractor will begin mobilizing on site for the first phase of the Wayside MS replacement campus project. The new school will be located on the site of the former EMS ISD administration building, just south of the current Wayside and across from Bryson Elementary School. For the safety of all in our community, the former administration building and surrounding outdoors spaces will be fenced off from public access and secured once it becomes a construction site.
Wayside students and staff will be able to continue having school in the current building while construction is underway on the new facility. However, the start of construction will impact current practices for traffic, parking, and access to our building. Campus leaders have been working closely with the district’s Operations team, Transportation, and EMS ISD Police to identify workable solutions during construction.
All parents, neighbors, and members of the community are invited to a community meeting at 6 pm Thursday, April 18, in the Wayside MS Cafeteria. District leaders, along with representatives from the project's construction contractor, will outline the construction plan, site safety plan and timelines for the new school and answer questions about the project. In the meantime, here are some important details from the EMS ISD Operations team to help the community plan drive times and visits to the Wayside campus:
Effective Wednesday, May 1, 2024:
- All parent traffic will need to use the main entrance off Old Decatur Road for morning drop off, afternoon pick up, and visits to campus. All parking (including employees) will be in the front lot. EMS ISD Police and Safety and Security will assist with traffic flow as needed.
- The back driveway between the school and tennis courts will be fenced off as part of the construction area. There will be no public access (including employees) to the driveway or parking areas behind the building.
- The bus loop on the east side of the building is only for school buses; students who are not bus riders should be dropped off and picked up at the front of the building.
- The parking lot on the west side of the building outside the gymnasium and portable classrooms is only for identified buses and programs; all other students should be dropped off and picked up at the front of the building.
- The parking lot at the former administration building will no longer be accessible for parking or waiting for students.
- The field west of the tennis courts will no longer be accessible to walk through or for use by the public. A pathway along Old Decatur Road will be provided for students who walk/bike before or after school.
- The tennis courts, practice field and track will be part of the construction site and will no longer be accessible to students, staff, or members of the community during the construction. Students and families affected by the closure of the tennis courts and fields will receive information from their coaches regarding alternative practice locations for these programs.
Thank you to our community for your patience and understanding during the construction period. Questions regarding the project may be submitted to our construction team and district leaders through the Let’s Talk! feature on our district website.
