The Moscow School District delayed the start of their academic year for two weeks due to unfinished construction on school buildings. Moscow children returned to school Monday.
Many parents of students in the school district work for UI, and needed to adjust their schedules and find an alternative pastime for their children as they returned to work two weeks ago.
“We were lucky enough to have our youngest child go to Moscow Day School and they opened up classes for older kids,” said Russell Meeuf, an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Media. “But it did cost us a nice chunk of change.”
The City of Moscow Parks and Recreation Department assisted parents with the two-week delay by partnering with the Moscow United Soccer Club and Eggan Youth Center.
Moscow United Soccer Club added a soccer camp that began on Aug. 25, with a cost of $75 per child. Eggan Youth Center opened their doors in the afternoon for children in 3rd grade or older to play games and hang out with friends for free. The Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center also extended their season until Sept. 1.
“The delay (was) due to a lot of bond projects that we had over the summer, which unfortunately one portion got delayed drastically, slowing everything up,” said Greg Bailey, MSD superintendent. “It wasn’t in a condition to give a good educational environment.”
The incomplete bathrooms became the main concern, he said. Many bathrooms are yet to be completed.
“Construction will continue while school goes on,” he said. “It’s normal in a construction project to have a punch list of things that didn’t get done.”
Some projects like the Bear Den at Moscow Junior High School won’t be finished until November or December, he said. The baseball field at Mountain View Park won’t be usable until the spring of 2016 to ensure the newly planted grass in November stays firmly in place.
“A lot of the projects were done on time,” Bailey said. “Many of the roofs were replaced on the buildings with new metal roofing. Most of the windows were replaced in the schools and they were also finished on time.”
To make up for the eight missed school days, MSD has added two days to the end of the school year, and shortened Thanksgiving break so children have school the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday that week. The district also cancelled scheduled service days in October, January and May that would have been time off for Moscow children.
Bailey said the school district does not face an additional financial burden. He said if there are additional costs, they will be taken to the construction company because it was late in finishing the projects.
Emily Aizawa can be reached at [email protected].