Nearly two and a half years have passed since state and local education officials broke ground on the $27 million Selma High School building fianlly, the Volkert Construction managers have said the end is in sight.

During Tuesday’s Selma City School Board work session, Jonathan Grammer, who was one of the construction managers with Volkert Construction, told the board the interior to do list — or punch list — was completed July 22. And with a few exceptions, like some touch-up paint jobs and a cylinder that needed to be replaced in the auditorium, everything was nearly finished.

Grammer said not only was everything finished, but the project may be completed under budget.

“Nothing has changed on the budget and we haven’t spent any additional funds,” Grammer said. “So you will still have a surplus of $150,000 at the end of the project — it may even be a little better than that, we’ve just got to make sure we tie up these loose ends.”

Grammer said there would be a year-end walk through inspection Aug. 16 before any closeout documents were signed.

“I think everything has come together. Hopefully this year will be a year without us on campus with you guys,” he said of Volkert Construction.

School board president Henry Hicks Sr. asked Grammer if they could arrange a time for the board to do a final walk through of the school with both the Selma High principal and the superintendent, before everything is signed off on and the last check is paid.

“Because once you sign off, contrary to popular belief, that baby is yours,” Hicks said with a laugh.

The board came to an agreement with Volkert to make their final walk through of the school Friday, Aug. 8.