Katy school trustees Monday approved a design change that will renovate and add to Schmalz Elementary School, 18605 Green Land Way.

The school presently has several temporary buildings on its west side. Under the plan, those buildings would be removed and an extension would be built from the southwest side of the building. District officials expect the project to be completed by August 2023.

“Good things come to those who wait,” Schmalz principal Charlotte Gilder said. “I’m super excited about what is to come as we create new learning opportunities.”

Officials said the goals of the renovation were to minimize portable buildings on campus and increase the outdoor safe space used for recess periods.

Schmalz is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year, Gilder said.

The extension will have six rooms for kindergarten students, and six classrooms for pre-kindergarten students. It will reorganize existing spaces so as to group students by grade.

District officials said they expected to move the portable buildings to another campus, though one building might be kept for staff use. Superintendent Ken Gregorski said the goal was to get the students inside the main building.

Asked whether she has visited with her elementary school community about the changes, Gilder said as soon as the board approved it, she could start sending construction-related emails. But the word was already out.

“They are aware something really great and awesome is coming,” Gilder said.