There’s still plenty of time to plan, but USD 257 school board members and administrators will have a big decision to make over the next few months: When to open the new elementary school for students.
Construction crews estimate the building will be completed in February 2022. But moving existing furniture and material into the new building, and transitioning elementary students to a new facility — with preschool through fifth grade combined under one roof— will be a challenging process.
It potentially could be done over the 2022 spring break, assuming weather cooperates.
But it might make more sense to wait until the following fall semester begins, and start out everyone fresh with a new routine.
“It will be a monumental task,” Superintendent Stacey Fager said of the transition. “There are pros and cons but I think at the end of the day, we can put together a plan that’s supported and does what’s best for our students.”
It will be much more complicated than it may initially appear, Fager said. For example, training parents and caregivers to follow new parking lot practices could take time.
“One of the most important things we want to work out is pickup and dropoff. How does that work with where our entrances are placed and how our buses run?”
Board member Tony Leavitt agreed. “It is so important that we open this school in a manner that everyone is comfortable with and proud of.”
MEANWHILE, construction is back on track after cold weather delayed work by about two weeks.
The new science and technology building, which includes a new cafeteria, is coming along well, board president Dan Willis said in an update to the board.
The basic structure is mostly complete, with masons finishing brick work. The roof is on, with tie-ins for plumbing and the air conditioning units have been set.
Soon, crews will start to clean up the outside of the site as they move into the building. 
Financially, 52% of the project has been spent and is on budget.
Work is also ramping up at the elementary school project, which is much larger and started later because of the need to clean and reclaim soil at the site.
Foundation work is well underway. Part of Kentucky Street was closed recently to allow for sewer work at the site.
Willis and administrators recently toured the property and were excited, envisioning what it will become.
