Raymondville ISD board president John Solis said Tuesday that a $13.8 million contract has been awarded for the construction of a new 2- story Myra Green Middle School.

Peterson Construction Company of McAllen and Corpus Christi was the successful bidder, Solis said.

The new school will be located on the north side of the high school football stadium on 23 acres owned by the district. It will face north with parking on the south side and the main entrance is expected to be from 11th Street, Solis said.

Construction will begin in early January and the school should be completed by March 2010 with the first classes moving in during August of 2010. The new building will accommodate 600 students.

"It's going to be a good looking school and people are going to be happy with it," Solis concluded.

Board member Sam Loya commented on the project, "We are very excited about it."

The new school will be the final link in new facilities built in the district over the past 10 years, including two new elementary schools and a new high school.