By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The start of school dates for O’Loughlin and Felten Elementary schools are being pushed back to allow for more time for staff to move into the renovated buildings.
Felten, the former middle school, has been renovated into a new four-section elementary school.
O’Loughlin has received two additions and had significant sanitary sewer work completed in the building this summer.
The first day of school for O’Loughlin Elementary School will be Thursday, Aug. 20, and the first day of school for Felten will be Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Superintendent Ron Wilson said he anticipates the schools will be turned over to the district on their regularly scheduled dates, which are Aug. 10 for Felten and Aug. 12 for O’Loughlin.
Staff should be able to begin to move back into classrooms at that time, but there will likely be punch list items to complete after those dates, Wilson said.
The delayed start dates will give district staff more time to move back into the school and set up classrooms.
Wilson said O’Loughlin’s materials are being stored in the building.
However, Felten materials, equipment and furniture are being stored next door at Wilson Elementary School.
Wilson school closed as an elementary school in the spring and is set to be renovated into a new administrative center.
Wilsons said staff will need additional time to move stored materials into the new Felten space.
The first days of both O’Loughlin and Felten will be full days for all grades, including kindergarten.
Wilson said the district does not anticipate the students at the two schools should have to make up any days later in the year because of the delayed start dates.
The first day of school for the rest of the district is Wednesday, Aug. 19. Roosevelt Elementary School will attend a half day on that day.