Monday is a big day for Austin Public Schools.

The Austin Public School board will be present for a groundbreaking ceremony on the new fifth- and sixth-grade school east of Ellis at 11 a.m. Monday, the culmination of more than two years of work.

“We’re really excited about it,” said superintendent David Krenz. “This is kind of that next step to see all that work actually coming to fruition.”

The school will be constructed as a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math school, which means flexible classrooms and an emphasis on technology.

“The way we’re teaching kids today, it’s so vastly different than what we did even 15 to 20 years ago,” Krenz said. “We’re creating groups of kids with at times like interests, and at times dislike interests.”

Board members will hear an update on how construction is going at the new school at their public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

In addition, the board will choose two Austin High School students as student school board representatives Monday. Board members plan to have two student representatives serving as a link between AHS students and the board this fall.

Two high school students, a junior and senior, will represent student voices at board meetings during the 2012-2013 year, which board members hope will add to discussions. Student representatives will be chosen based on their qualities, which includes being responsible, having leadership potential, being well-respected by their peers, showing confidence, and demonstrating good communication. Students must be willing to complete a two-year term over their junior and senior year.